Bill
Bill > SB771
WI SB771
WI SB771Creating a multifamily housing innovation council and allowing a multifamily dwelling up to six stories to be served by a single stairway. (FE)
summary
Introduced
12/12/2025
12/12/2025
In Committee
12/12/2025
12/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill does all of the following: 1. Creates a multifamily housing innovation council consisting of one building inspector, one professional firefighter, one fire chief, one member of the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association, one automatic fire sprinkler fitter, one engineer, one expert on the International Residential Code, and at least one employee of the Department of Safety and Professional Services who has expertise with the commercial building code. 2. Requires the council to develop a guidebook that establishes recommendations for the design and construction of a multifamily dwelling that is served by a single stairway. The guidebook must ensure that such dwellings are designed and constructed consistently with safe occupancy and egress satisfying National Fire Protection Association standards. 3. Requires the council to establish a model ordinance that counties, cities, villages, and towns may adopt to allow multifamily housing to be built on land zoned for commercial uses. 4. Requires the council to make recommendations to DSPS and the Commercial Building Code Council regarding any changes to the commercial LRB-2644/1 KP:ajk&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 771 building code that would facilitate multifamily housing innovation recommendations developed by the council. 5. Requires the council to meet monthly until the council completes the guidebook and model ordinance. The council must also meet on the call of the secretary of DSPS to develop recommendations regarding any matter related to multifamily housing innovation specified by the secretary. 6. Authorizes counties, cities, villages, and towns to enact ordinances consistent with the guidebook that allow a multifamily dwelling up to six stories to be served by a single stairway. Because this bill may increase or decrease, directly or indirectly, the cost of the development, construction, financing, purchasing, sale, ownership, or availability of housing in this state, the Department of Administration, as required by law, will prepare a report to be printed as an appendix to this bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill creates a Multifamily Housing Innovation Council composed of nine members from various professional backgrounds including building inspectors, firefighters, fire chiefs, fire inspectors, fire sprinkler fitters, engineers, and building code experts. The council's primary responsibilities include developing a comprehensive guidebook for designing and constructing multifamily dwellings with a single stairway, ensuring these buildings meet National Fire Protection Association safety standards. The bill will allow counties, cities, villages, and towns to enact ordinances permitting multifamily buildings up to six stories to be served by a single stairway, which could potentially increase housing development opportunities. The council is required to meet monthly until completing the guidebook and model ordinance, and subsequently will meet annually to review and update their recommendations. Additionally, the council will create a model ordinance to help local governments allow multifamily housing on commercially zoned land and will provide recommendations to the Department of Safety and Professional Services about potential changes to commercial building codes that could facilitate multifamily housing innovation. The initial council members will have staggered terms, with half appointed for two-year terms and half for four-year terms, to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (9)
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Jamie Wall (D)*,
Clint Anderson (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Brienne Brown (D),
Ben DeSmidt (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Last Action
Representative Roe withdrawn as a cosponsor (on 02/10/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb771 |
| Fiscal Note - SB771: Fiscal Estimate From DSPS | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb771/sb771_dsps.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB771.pdf |
Loading...