Bill > HB1273

This bill addresses residential building stair design by requiring municipalities with populations over 100,000 to modify their building codes to allow multifamily residential buildings up to five stories to be served by a single exit stairway, under specific safety conditions. The bill aims to enable more flexible and efficient housing construction, particularly on small infill lots, by allowing buildings to have a single stairway instead of the currently required two. Key safety requirements include using fire-resistant construction materials, installing automatic sprinkler systems throughout the building, limiting the number of dwelling units per floor, ensuring proper fire detection and smoke control systems, and maintaining specific travel distances and stairway widths. The bill is motivated by the desire to increase housing supply, improve unit design flexibility, and support energy efficiency through features like cross-ventilation. Municipalities must coordinate with local fire authorities to ensure emergency access and must report annually on the number of single-exit buildings constructed. The provisions are set to be in effect until July 1, 2037, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the approach's effectiveness and safety.

Housing and Urban Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1273