I have a 5' 7" retaining wall around my driveway that butts up to the house. It has a stair well area and currently no railing on the stairs or along the top of the wall.

I am wanting to rebuild the stairs and add a railing. I have found building codes that pertain to stairs but I have a couple questions.

1. I am going to build a T from two 2x4's for the top rail. This is not to codes for a inside stair run and would require an offset handle of less than 2-1/4" inside the top rail but I see all kinds of decks with stairs and none of them have the hand rail. Are there just that many decks not built to code or is there an exception to outside railings.

2. Do I have to put a overhang (nose) on the front edge of the stair tread or can it be flush to the riser? I am going to put open risers since they are outside if it makes a difference.

Is there anything I should worry about?

Thanks