ID H0706

Local governments may permit residential apartment buildings (R-2 occupancy) with a single stairway instead of the standard two stairways, limited to buildings with no more than 6 stories (or 5 stories with an occupiable roof), maximum 4 dwelling units per floor, and no more than 6,000 square feet per story

Buildings using the single-stairway exception must meet enhanced fire safety requirements including NFPA 13 automatic sprinkler systems throughout, 2-hour fire-rated stairway and elevator shafts, 90-minute fire-rated stairway openings, and 1-hour fire-rated corridors separating dwelling units from the stairway

Stairways must be at least 48 inches wide, with travel distance from any dwelling unit to the stairway limited to 20 feet and total exit access travel distance capped at 125 feet

No more than 2 single-stairway buildings or building areas are permitted per lot, and a sign must be posted at the fire alarm control panel stating "THIS BUILDING CONTAINS ONLY ONE STAIR"

The bill takes effect July 1, 2026 under an emergency declaration and amends Section 39-4116 to clarify local government authority to adopt building codes with these exceptions