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WV HB4737

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/22/2026

Primary Sponsor

Kayla Young

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Authorizes West Virginia municipalities to adopt ordinances allowing apartment buildings up to six stories with only a single stairway, instead of requiring multiple stairways
  • Buildings using the single-stairway option must have no more than four dwelling units per floor and automatic sprinkler systems in each interior exit stairway
  • Requires interior exit stairway enclosures to have at least a two-hour fire resistance rating and corridors from dwelling units to stairways to have at least a one-hour fire resistance rating
  • Limits the distance from any dwelling unit door to an exit stairway to no more than 20 feet, with maximum exit access travel distance of 125 feet
  • Mandates automatic smoke and fire detection systems with occupant notification in common spaces, laundry rooms, mechanical rooms, storage rooms, corridors, and stairway landings

Legislative Description

Relating to municipal regulation of stairway requirements in certain apartment buildings.

Municipalities

Last Action

To House Government Organization

1/22/2026

Committee Referrals

Government Organization1/22/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available