Permits the construction of residential buildings that are up to four (4) stories and sixteen (16) dwelling units with a single staircase under certain conditions.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would change Rhode Island's building code to allow the construction of apartment buildings with up to four stories and up to 16 units that have only one staircase, rather than requiring two separate staircases. Currently, buildings of this size are generally required to have multiple stairways as a safety measure. This bill would permit the single-staircase design under certain specific conditions, though the exact requirements for those conditions would be defined through the building code process.

This type of building design is sometimes called a "point access block" or "stair access building" and is common in many European countries. Supporters of similar laws elsewhere have argued that eliminating the second staircase requirement frees up interior floor space, potentially allowing developers to build more housing units or reduce construction costs. The bill would primarily affect real estate developers, architects, contractors, and local municipalities, as well as future residents of newly constructed apartment buildings.

It is worth noting that building safety advocates have raised concerns in other states about whether single-staircase designs provide adequate escape routes and firefighter access in emergencies. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process — it has been referred to the House Municipal Government & Housing Committee and has been recommended to be held for further study, meaning lawmakers are still evaluating it before deciding whether to move it forward.