Railing Installation in Menlo Park

One request, one contractor. He calls back with what he saw and what he needs to confirm on site.

The exempt list under the 2025 code. Menlo Park's published list (Work Exempt From Building Permit, under Municipal Code Title 12) exempts a deck not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling or townhouse, and not serving the required exit door. Railings are not listed. A guard on anything taller or attached is a Building Division question.

Porch railings. A railing on a raised entry porch is a guard under the same 30-inch rule as a deck. Photograph the steps along with the porch edge so the riser count is visible.

Heritage trees. A native oak is a heritage tree at 10 inches in trunk diameter, other species at 15 inches, measured 54 inches above grade; the protection zone is 10 times the trunk diameter, and construction inside it needs a city-approved tree protection plan (Menlo Park heritage tree ordinance, Municipal Code ch. 13.24). A new railing footing near a large tree is covered.

For height, opening and handrail figures, see railing installation on the Peninsula.

• Measure height at the low point within 3 feet of the edge.
• Photograph the rim joist and, for a porch, the steps.
• Note any large tree near the proposed footing.

Railings are not on the exempt-work list. Ask the Building Division; the contractor can.

42 inches once the porch surface is more than 30 inches above grade. Below that, no guard is required by code.