Are you considering adding a ramp to your home but aren’t quite sure what the rules are? You’re in the right place. Here are some great rules of thumb.
✅ Check with Your Local Government
Personal residences don’t fall under ADA requirements. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the wild west and you can do whatever you want. Local cities, townships, and villages often have their own building codes for wheelchair ramp construction—and those codes frequently mirror ADA guidelines.
Some jurisdictions also require permits for outdoor handicap ramps. Cities are especially known for this, so confirm with your local office before you begin building.
✅ No Local Code? Use ADA Guidelines
While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) only applies to commercial buildings, its guidelines take the guesswork out of building a safe home ramp. Here are a few of the most important:
Ramp Length
- Use a 1:12 ratio—for every inch of rise, build 12 inches of ramp.
Example: If your porch is 16 inches high, your ramp should be at least 16 feet long. - This slope ensures the ramp is safe for wheelchair users and easier for caregivers who push a wheelchair.
Caveat: Don’t just measure the rise at your door. If the ground slopes away from the house, your total rise may be greater, making your ramp steeper than intended.
To get an accurate measurement:
- Place your laser level on your door threshold or porch (depending on where you’re ramping to), and aim it to where your ramp will end.
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Go to where your ramp will end, and extend your tape measure to the ground
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From this point, line up your laser level with your tape
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Wherever the laser hits on your tape is your actual rise
Ramp Width
- Your ramp needs to be at least 36 inches wide.
- For more space, go wider—48 to 60 inches is ideal for power chairs or larger mobility devices.
Platforms Are a Must
You’ll need a flat platform in these three cases:
- At Doors – If your ramp meets a door threshold, include a 5’ x 5’ platform. Why?
- It gives you a safe, flat surface when entering or exiting
- Holding a wheelchair steady while opening a door on a slope is dangerous
- Walkers and canes are unstable on an incline, increasing the risk of falls
- A 5’ x 5’ platform allows space to turn around a door that opens outward and gives caregivers room to move past the user
- At Turns – Use a 5’ x 5’ platform anywhere your ramp changes direction. This gives wheelchair users space to stop and safely turn.
- After Every 30 Feet of Ramp – ADA ramp guidelines require a resting platform every 30 feet of continuous slope.
If your ramp has turns with platforms, those platforms can double as resting spots.
Edge Protection (Curbs)
- Your ramp must have 2-inch curbs along both sides to stop feet or wheels from slipping off.
- Exception: You don’t need curbs if the ramp runs alongside a wall or vertical surface that’s already at least 2 inches high.
Handrails – Required when your ramp has a rise greater than 6 inches.
Height: 34–38 inches above the ramp surface
Clearance: At least 1.5 inches between the rail and any wall or surface
Grip: Circular rails, 1.25–2 inches in diameter for easy grasp
Extensions: Extend 12 inches past the top and bottom, stay parallel to the ground, and return to a post or wall to prevent snagging bags or clothes
In Summary
If you’re building your own wheelchair ramp:
✅ Check local building codes and permit rules
✅ If no codes exist, follow ADA ramp guidelines for slope, width, platforms, and safety features
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Let us help ease your mind. Our ramp pros will:
Evaluate your home
Provide layout options
Give you a quote
Build the ramp for you—so you can rest easy knowing it’s done right
📞 Call us at 810-213-6377
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