Last reviewed
July 4, 2026
Checklist
Wheelchair ramp checklist for home entry
Use this wheelchair ramp checklist to prepare rise measurements, slope questions, landings, handrails, materials, drainage, and permit review.
This website provides educational information only. It is not medical, legal, construction, or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals before making major home modifications.
One number controls every ramp decision: the total rise from the ground to the door threshold. The common accessibility standard is a 1:12 slope, one foot of ramp for every inch of rise, so a 24 inch rise implies roughly 24 feet of ramp plus level landings. Measuring rise first tells you instantly whether a straight run fits or the design needs turns.
The rest of the checklist covers what quotes silently differ on: landing sizes at the door and turns, handrails once rise exceeds a few inches, edge protection so wheels cannot slip off, surface traction in rain, and drainage so the ramp does not become an ice sheet in winter.
Checklist
Ramp planning items
- Measure total rise from ground to entry threshold.
- Check available run length, turns, and landing space using the 1:12 rule.
- Plan a level landing at the door big enough to rest and open the door, about 5 by 5 feet.
- Review handrails, edge protection, drainage, lighting, and weather exposure.
- Ask whether a temporary, modular, or permanent ramp fits the need.
- Confirm permits, HOA rules, landlord permission, and removal plans if relevant.
Before you commit
Questions to ask
- What slope will the finished ramp actually have, and how close is it to 1:12?
- Where will the required landings go, and are they level and large enough to turn on?
- How is the surface kept grippy in rain, snow, and ice, and who maintains that?
- Does this design need a permit here, and does the quote include drawings for it?
How to use this information
Data note
Checklist items are educational planning prompts, not medical or building-code advice. Confirm individual recommendations with qualified professionals.
Primary sources for this page
Ranges and rules on this page draw on the official sources below. Program amounts and standards change, so confirm current details on the source itself before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a wheelchair ramp need to be?
Using the standard 1:12 slope, the ramp needs one foot of length for every inch of rise, so a typical 20 to 30 inch porch rise needs 20 to 30 feet of ramp plus level landings at the top, bottom, and any turn.
Do home wheelchair ramps need handrails?
Accessibility standards call for handrails on both sides once a ramp rises more than 6 inches. Even where residential code is looser, rails and edge protection are cheap compared with a wheel slipping off the side.
Do I need a permit to build a wheelchair ramp at my house?
Often yes for permanent ramps, since they are structures with footings and rails, while portable and some modular ramps usually do not require one. Rules vary by city and HOA, so confirm before ordering materials.