Michigan Governor Signs Single-Stair Housing Reform

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed single-stair legislation into law this week, enabling developers to construct multifamily housing up to six stories more affordably by utilizing a single interior exit stairway. This reform aligns Michigan with other states like Colorado, Texas, and Montana that have already adopted similar provisions, breaking from the International Building Code's traditional two-staircase requirement for buildings exceeding three stories.

Housing advocates in Michigan believe this legislative win could generate momentum for a broader "Housing Readiness" package currently under consideration in the state legislature. Lauren Strickland, executive director of Abundant Housing Michigan, stated that the change "could propel the momentum that we need to change" laws and improve housing affordability. Several cities, including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, have already benefited from similar opt-in laws enacted in Tennessee in 2024, and Washington, D.C., is finalizing its own version.

While the move is seen as a significant step towards increasing housing supply and reducing construction costs, it faces opposition from fire officials nationwide. These officials argue that a second staircase provides a crucial secondary escape route for residents and a clear access path for firefighters. The challenges faced in Connecticut, where a single-stair reform allowing buildings up to four stories was adopted in 2024 but later repealed in February due to opposition from fire and safety officials, highlight the political hurdles such reforms can encounter.