1008.1.5 Floor elevation.
There shall be a floor or landing on each side of a door. Such floor or landing shall be at the same elevation on each side of the door. Landings shall be level except for exterior landings, which are permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent slope).
Exceptions:
1. Doors serving individual dwelling units in Groups R-2 and R-3 where the following apply:
1.1. A door is permitted to open at the top step of an interior flight of stairs , provided the door does not swing over the top step.
1.2. Screen doors and storm doors are permitted to swing over stairs or landings.
2. Exterior doors as provided for in Section 1003.5, Exception 1, and Section 1020.2, which are not on an accessible route .
1003.5 Elevation change.
Where changes in elevation of less than 12 inches (305 mm) exist in the means of egress , sloped surfaces shall be used. Where the slope is greater than one unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope), ramps complying with Section 1010 shall be used. Where the difference in elevation is 6 inches (152 mm) or less, the ramp shall be equipped with either handrails or floor finish materials that contrast with adjacent floor finish materials.
Exceptions:
1. A single step with a maximum riser height of 7 inches (178 mm) is permitted for buildings with occupancies in Groups F, H, R-2, R-3, S and U at exterior doors not required to be accessible by Chapter 11 of the International Building Code.
The code does not indicate a direction requirement for the door swing. It also does not require a landing to be of any specific material. The flower bed should have a firm stable surface leading from the door through the flower bed such as pavers, gravel or even grass. Flowers could be a tripping hazard.
