How far off the ground is the deck?

That's a code issue. Railings are required. Unless it's more of a wood patio on grade than a deck.

Kind of along the lines of these. Really like the one with the long steps.
Does Code vary by town/State? How many inches off the ground if I ran stairs all the way across?

Or this

SaraandBray, you will most likely need a permit to build something like that. Visit your city building department to see what that entails. They probably have code information there, but a licensed contractor would be the best answer for you.

Resale on a house with an unpermitted attached deck would take your property value down faster than you can blink.

This isn't no railing but it's functional railing that doesn't block your view. Wouldn't meet code in a lot of areas but there is no code here. It pretty much keeps people from falling off as long as I can keep them from standing on it. Seriously, no one has fallen off in nine years.

"That's a code issue. Railings are required. Unless it's more of a wood patio on grade than a deck."

Code here (Massachusetts) is 30inches.

780 CMR 5312 GUARDS
5312.1 Guards Required. Porches, balconies or raised floor surfaces located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height.

Bumping this thread.
I need pictures and fast. We lowered our deck last weekend and are tryiing to decide if we should go lower. Previously the deck was one shallow step down (maybe 6 in.) from the back porch, now it will have an extra step. If we lower it, it will have yet another step down. Will that look too separated from the back porch that it's connected to? Our house was elevated higher than I had hoped when built, and I want the deck with no railing, so it's got to be several inches lower, to make it doable. We took the railing down last weekend and went to work. Any more pics, please?

Lake Girl - how about posting a picture of your deck? Then we might be able to comment.