The Los Angeles City Council has taken a significant step toward reshaping local building codes, voting 13–1 to draft an ordinance that would allow apartment buildings up to six stories to be constructed with a single stairway. If passed, this change would roll back a 1981 rule requiring two staircases in multi-family properties.
Why This Matters for Developers and Investors
Councilmembers Nithya Raman and Katy Yaroslavsky sponsored the proposal with the goal of reducing construction costs and accelerating project timelines. The Planning Department has highlighted another potential benefit: the ability to deliver more family-sized housing. Currently, just 14% of Los Angeles rental units offer three or more bedrooms. Eliminating the double-stairway requirement could free up interior space for larger units, creating opportunities in a segment of the market where supply lags demand.
Architects and planners argue that the existing rule has contributed to long, narrow hallways, restricted layouts, and poor natural light. On smaller parcels in particular, a second stairwell consumes valuable square footage. Reform could make small-lot projects viable and open up underused parcels that developers previously avoided.
Safety Concerns and Opposition
Not everyone is on board. Firefighters and safety advocates have voiced strong concerns, emphasizing that stairways are a critical lifeline during emergencies. Frank Lima of the International Association of Fire Fighters warned that a single exit forces residents and firefighters to share the same pathway in a crisis, potentially slowing evacuation and fire suppression. The Los Angeles Fire Department has stated the proposal is under review by the city fire marshal.
As a compromise, the ordinance would require enhanced safety measures such as advanced sprinkler systems, which could mitigate risk but also add costs.
Design Implications
Industry professionals like architect Simon Ha note that the change could lead to more townhouse-style and family-oriented layouts, similar to what’s already seen in New York. This design flexibility could differentiate new multi-family product in a competitive market while addressing a chronic shortage of larger units.
Broader Policy Trends
Los Angeles is not alone in considering this reform. Since 2022, at least 16 U.S. cities and states have moved toward permitting single-stairway mid-rises, including New York, Seattle, and Honolulu. A Pew Charitable Trusts study found no difference in fire-related fatalities between single- and double-stairway buildings in jurisdictions where they are allowed.
Next Steps
The ordinance now heads to city staff for full drafting. As written, it would apply only to buildings up to six stories with no more than four units per floor, and would require upgraded fire suppression systems.
For investors, this shift could open new opportunities to build efficient, family-sized housing on smaller sites that previously lacked feasibility. At the same time, developers will need to carefully track code requirements, fire-safety mandates, and community feedback as the policy takes shape.
Bottom line: If approved, Los Angeles’ single-stairway ordinance could reshape the city’s multi-family market by expanding design options, enabling larger units, and unlocking small-lot development potential—though safety debates and regulatory details will determine the pace of adoption.
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