IdahoLocal governments may allow certain apartment buildings to use one stairway
Starting July 1, 2026, local governments may approve one-stairway apartment buildings that meet strict limits on height, layout, fire protection, and evacuation.
What it does
Starting July 1, 2026, local governments may allow some apartment buildings to use one stairway if they meet detailed fire-safety, design, and exit requirements.
Argument forBuilders and local governments could have more flexibility in designing smaller apartment buildings while still following detailed fire and evacuation safeguards.
Argument againstResidents in covered buildings might have fewer exit options during an emergency because the building would use only one stairway.
More detail
Local governments may allow certain apartment buildings to have one interior stairway instead of more than one. The option covers residential group R-2 apartment buildings with up to six stories without an occupied roof, or up to five stories with an occupied roof and no more than one basement level. Buildings may have no more than four homes on each floor, with no more than 6,000 square feet per floor. Buildings must use one of the listed construction types and have automatic sprinklers, fire alarms, smoke detection, protected exits, and emergency escape openings. The single stairway must be at least 48 inches wide, and apartments must connect to it through protected corridors rather than opening directly into it. Travel distances, exit discharge, exterior openings, electrical outlets, elevator access, and the number of single-exit buildings on one lot must meet the listed limits. Buildings must also meet all other applicable local building codes. The provision takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to local-government decisions made under it after that date.
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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
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 10, 2026 Session Law Chapter 320 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Apr 2Delivered to Governor at 4:24 p.m. on April 2, 2026To Governor
- Apr 2Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Apr 2Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Apr 2Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Apr 2Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Apr 1Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full – Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote Read in full as required) –. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Read third time in full – Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – PASSED - 18-17-0AYES – Bernt, Blaylock, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Hart, Kohl, Lenney, Nichols, Rabe, Ricks, Semmelroth, Shippy, Toews, VanOrden, Wintrow, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Adams, Anthon, Bjerke(Bjerke), Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Keyser, Lakey, Lent, Okuniewicz, Ruchti, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, WoodwardAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - No sponsor data.Title apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 1Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 30Reported out of Committee and referred to: Local Government & TaxationMinor
- Mar 25Introduced, read first time; referred to: Commerce & Human ResourcesMinor
- Mar 25Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 24Rules Suspended: Ayes 67 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 3, read in full as required – PASSED - 63-7-0AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Tanner(13), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Church, Crane(13), Mendive, Palmer, Skaug, Tanner(14)Absent – NoneFloor Sponsor - RedmanTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 67 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 3, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 23Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 17Reported Printed and Referred to Business
- Feb 16Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
HousingPublic SafetyGovernment & Ethics