Massachusetts Studies Adding Supply with Single-Stair Apartments

Massachusetts studies adding supply with single-stair apartments

America’s quilt work of states whose governors and lawmakers are bucking for housing policy change to break through supply constraints at the root of the nation’s affordability crisis now counts Massachusetts among them. With a focus on prohibitively constrictive building codes and zoning ordinances, Gov. Maura Healey has adopted an approach officials in other states and cities have taken before pulling the legislative trigger — study the matter…

Why Massachusetts is revisiting single-stair fire safety rules now

Healey-Driscoll administration launches advisory group on single-stair fire safety rules A new Massachusetts executive order will study allowing single-stair construction in some residential buildings above three storeys. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced the order on 13 February 2026. The announcement described the current Massachusetts building code requirement for two exit stairs […]