District of ColumbiaD.C. requires one-stairway rules for buildings with over two homes and mainly permanent residents, up to six stories or high-rises
By July 1, 2027, D.C. must issue rules allowing one entrance and exit stairway in buildings with over two homes and mainly permanent occupants, up to six stories or high-rises.
What it does
By July 1, 2027, D.C. must issue rules allowing one entrance and exit stairway in buildings with over two homes and mainly permanent occupants, up to six stories or high-rises.
D.C. must consider fire protection, safe exits, and limits on homes or floor space when writing one-stairway rules for buildings with over two homes and mainly permanent occupants, up to six stories or high-rises.
Argument forOnce D.C. issues the rules, builders could have more ways to arrange homes in buildings with over two homes and mainly permanent occupants, up to six stories or high-rises.
Argument againstResidents in buildings with over two homes and mainly permanent occupants, up to six stories or high-rises, could have a harder escape if smoke blocks the only stairway.
More detail
D.C.'s Department of Buildings must issue rules allowing one entrance and exit stairway. The buildings must have more than two homes and mainly permanent occupants. They may be up to six stories above ground or have an occupied floor more than 75 feet above the lowest level fire vehicles can reach. The agency must issue the rules by July 1, 2027.
The Department of Buildings must consider safety measures and building size limits when writing the one-stairway rules. This covers buildings with more than two homes and mainly permanent occupants, up to six stories or with an occupied floor more than 75 feet above the lowest fire vehicle access. The agency must consider fire and smoke protection, safe exits, and a limit of four homes per floor or a comparable floor-area limit. It must also consider building code practices elsewhere. Considering a measure does not require adopting it. The agency must consider these measures while writing the rules due by July 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Law L26-0152, Effective from Jul 18, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 011060Latest
- Jun 5Act A26-0341 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 008213
- Jun 4Transmitted to CongressMinor
- Jun 3Returned from Mayor
- Jun 2Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0341Became Law
- May 20Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Jun 04, 2026To Governor
- May 5Amendment (Nadeau and Pinto)Minor
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- May 5Final ReadingMinor
- Mar 31First Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Mar 31Committee Mark-up of B26-0227 by the Committee of the Whole
- Jan 27Public Hearing on B26-0227 View Public Hearing Record
- 2025
- Dec 19Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Dec 11Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Committee of the WholeMinor
- Apr 22Referred to Committee of the WholeMinor
- Apr 18Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0227 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Apr 11B26-0227 Introduced by Councilmember Nadeau at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
HousingPublic Safety