US EditionCalifornia housing advocates still waiting for state-ordered stair report
The draft suggests raising the maximum height for single-stair apartment buildings from three to four stories with safety restrictions, amid opposition from fire departments.
- On January 1, 2026 the Office of the State Fire Marshal was to have produced a report on single-stair apartment buildings, but housing advocates say they are still waiting more than a month after the November 4 meeting.
- The Legislature ordered the review to determine if allowing single-stair buildings could help developers build bigger, airier, and better-lit apartments, as housing advocates and urbanists argue current rules raise costs and limit family-sized units.
- The draft report recommended raising the limit from three to four stories if the State Fire Marshal agrees, added size and safety limits, and noted near-unanimous opposition from California fire departments.
- CAL FIRE said the report remains under review and will be published once approved, emphasizing it would not have legal force or automatically change building codes.
- Observers note a pattern in state bureaucracy where local fire marshals, fire chiefs and firefighting unions oppose easing staircase rules, and deadlines are frequently missed.
13 Articles
13 Articles
San Bernardino Sun
California housing advocates still waiting for state-ordered stair report
By Ben Christopher | CalMatters In the fall of 2023, the California Legislature tasked the state’s fire safety regulators with writing a report that some housing affordability advocates say could make it easier to build bigger, airier and better lit apartment buildings in California’s housing-strapped cities. The Office of the State Fire Marshal was given until Jan. 1, 2026, to come up with a report on single-stair apartment buildings — a type o…
Housing advocates still waiting for state-ordered stair report
In summary California’s fire safety regulators were asked to study whether mid-rise apartments can go with a single staircase. They’re more than a month late. In the fall of 2023, the California Legislature tasked the state’s fire safety regulators with writing a report that some housing affordability advocates say could make it easier to build bigger, airier and better lit apartment buildings in California’s housing-strapped cities. The Office…
Danville San Ramon
Activistas de la vivienda aún esperan informe sobre las escaleras ordenado por el estado
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. This article is also available in English. Read it here. En el otoño de 2023, la Legislatura de California encargó a los reguladores de seguridad contra incendios del estado que redactaran un informe que, según algunos activistas en favor de la asequibilidad de […] The post Activistas de la vivienda aún esperan informe sobre las escaleras ordenado por el estado app…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
