Stair railings - Oakland County
Southfield, an Oakland County city of 76,618 (2020 census), was Michigan’s fastest-growing city for several years in the 1960s and has one of the state’s largest collections of mid-century modern houses, including two National Register subdivisions.
Southfield incorporated in 1958 out of what was left of Southfield Township, and for several years in the 1960s it was Michigan’s fastest-growing city. The boom left ranches, tri-levels and Colonial Revival houses on curving streets and cul-de-sacs. Two subdivisions are on the National Register: Northland Gardens, platted in 1956 north of Eight Mile by the J. L. Hudson Company’s real estate arm, 117 homes that are mostly mid-century modern ranches; and Plumbrooke Estates, 95 houses built from 1961 to 1974. Cranbrook Village, Magnolia, Washington Heights and the Ravines share the style, and a replacement railing on these houses should suit their low, clean lines.
Southfield’s own historic review is tied to local Historic District Designation, which the city makes by a separate ordinance for each property. A locally designated property that needs a building permit must go to the Southfield Historic Commission first. A National Register listing is a different thing, so ask the Planning Department whether your address in Northland Gardens or Plumbrooke Estates carries a local designation before ordering anything.
Ordinance No. 1656 requires every rented one- or two-family house to be registered and inspected every three years. When an inspector cites violations, the owner has thirty days to get any permits the Building Department requires, make the corrections and book follow-up inspections. The city’s multiple-family checklist lists stairs, handrails, guardrails, porches and balconies among its exterior items; ask the department what the one- and two-family inspection covers.
The Department of Building & Safety Engineering on Evergreen Road enforces the Michigan Residential Code. Near Southfield City Centre, Lawrence Technological University and the Lodge Freeway, typical jobs are railings for low entry steps, slim steel rails, tri-level stair railings, loose handrail repair and fixes cited in a rental inspection.
Stair and porch railings across Detroit and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties:
Written quote
A quick description is enough to start.
We will call to set up a time to measure. To talk sooner, call (313) 497-5628
Something went wrong sending your request. Please call (313) 497-5628 and we’ll take the details over the phone. Your answers are still filled in below if you’d rather try again.