Michigan Governor Signs Single-Stair Housing Reform Into Law

Key facts

• Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed single-stair legislation into law.
• The new law permits single-stair construction in multifamily buildings up to six stories.
• This reform is expected to lower construction costs and increase housing availability.
• The legislation passed the Michigan Senate with bipartisan backing.
• The rules are a temporary measure until state adoption of International Code Council standards.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed Michigan's single-stair legislation into law, a move intended to make building smaller apartment buildings more affordable. The new law permits multifamily housing construction up to six stories with a single interior exit stairway, a departure from the traditional two-staircase requirement for buildings over three stories.

Housing advocates believe this reform will lower construction costs by freeing up floor space and potentially increase the number of units developers can build on a given lot. The legislation passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. It establishes a two-tier system: one law allows single-stair construction up to four stories, and a second, dependent law extends this to buildings between five and six stories.

This change positions Michigan alongside other states like Colorado, Texas, and Montana that have adopted similar measures. However, fire officials nationwide often oppose such reforms, citing safety concerns regarding escape routes and firefighting access. Connecticut's experience illustrates this opposition, where a law allowing single-stair buildings up to four stories was repealed after facing significant pushback from fire and safety officials.

The new Michigan rules are framed as a temporary bridge measure, set to sunset once the state formally adopts the International Code Council's single-stairway standards. Housing advocates are hopeful that this legislative win will build momentum for other stalled housing reforms, such as loosening parking minimums and accessory dwelling unit restrictions, though these face resistance from local governments.