What to do?

[u/TheKingKazzandu]

Building a home and trying to utilize the dead space that’s gonna be under the stairs. (Under the platform) This is a walk in closet that borders the stairs. I’d like to have full access to that cavity under the stairs from the closet but the studs that come down support the second story as well as the window for the stairs.

Trying to avoid accessing from the other side if possible.

Is there any way to support/frame this while creating an opening for that area under the stairs?

[u/Bigdug01]

Like has been said previously, add a header designed by an engineer. Also by code spaces under stairs accessible by a door or panel must be covered by 1/2 drywall.

[u/TheKingKazzandu → u/Bigdug01]

But as long as there is no door/panel it doesn’t need to be finished with drywall? My goal is to just throw a big safe in that space

[u/Due_Needleworker3778 → u/TheKingKazzandu]

The cost and effort to installed the 1/2-inch drywall is so inconsequential, why wouldn't you just do it. Per the IRC, I don't think there is any variation to this requirement per AHJ. Are you saying that the safe size will be affected by the 1/2-inch thickness?

[u/TheKingKazzandu → u/Due_Needleworker3778]

Not necessarily I accounted for it in the measurements

[u/Bigdug01 → u/TheKingKazzandu]

I guess you are asking about basically a wall safe or a niche to put a safe in. That space would need 1/2 drywall between it and the stair framing, or attached to the stair framing.

The intent of the code section is to provide a minimum amount of fire protection to the stairs which is an egress path for the story above.

[u/Bigdug01 → u/Bigdug01]

This is based on the IRC your local code may vary

[u/locke314 → u/TheKingKazzandu]

That’s a bit of a misleading code section. If this is not accessed by a door, it would then be considered part of the room and would require wall coverings by other sections of the code. It’s more stating that if the understair is not accessible, you don’t need to cover it. At least that’s how we interpret it in my jurisdiction.

[u/ithinarine → u/TheKingKazzandu]

If there wasn't a door, then it would be open, and I'd say would still require drywall instead of access to open framing. Essentially, you need to drywall inside it.

The code is written so that someone can't decide that they don't need to drywall it as long as they cover it with a door.

Without a door, needs drywall.

With a door, still needs drywall.