By how much may the greatest riser height exceed the minimum?

The greatest riser height may exceed the minimum by 5/8 inch according to building code regulations. This allowance is intended to account for construction variances that naturally occur when stairs are built, ensuring safety and usability without compromising structural integrity. By allowing a limit of 5/8 inch, it maintains a balance between standardization of riser heights for safety, while still providing builders with some flexibility in construction practices. This is essential in residential and commercial construction where precise measurements can be affected by materials and workmanship. The other options represent allowable tolerances that do not meet the specific regulation for riser height variations, which is set at 5/8 inch in most building codes.