Connecticut Lawmakers Move to Repeal 2024 Single-Stair Apartment Code

This blog post takes a close look at Connecticut lawmakers’ recent move to repeal a 2024 building-code change that would’ve allowed a single exit stair in some small residential buildings. The proposal met stiff resistance from fire officials and sparked plenty of debate about housing, safety, and what it all means for towns from Hartford to Norwalk as the state eyes broader code updates for mid-2026.

Background: The 2024 single-stair proposal and compromise

In 2024, the state Codes and Standards Committee tried to strike a deal to permit single-stair egress for buildings up to four stories. That would’ve expanded the current rule, which only allows single stairs in buildings up to three stories.

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But the idea got bogged down in controversy. Safety officials raised strong concerns about how people would escape and how rescuers would get in if there was just one stairway.

The night before a big regulations meeting, advocates pulled the provision. There just wasn’t enough support to keep it alive.

Fire safety concerns and opposition

Fire marshals, chiefs, and firefighters spoke out against the single exit stair, saying it could slow down evacuations and make it harder for them to reach residents in an emergency. They pointed out that even with safety upgrades, letting four-story buildings use just one stair could bump up risks in crowded homes.

This testimony really fueled the effort to repeal the 2024 provision. Fire leadership in cities and towns across Connecticut kept calling for a pause on expanding stairway egress rules.

Supporters’ arguments and housing goals

Supporters like House Majority Leader Jason Rojas and housing advocates argued that repealing the 2024 change would keep people safe but still allow for smart growth. They said single-stair options on small lots could help unlock “missing middle” housing and add to the supply, as long as builders used modern protections like sprinklers and fire-resistant materials.

Proponents often pointed to other states and cities with similar single-stair rules. They felt Connecticut could find a safe middle ground—if new codes came with strong safeguards.

Legislative momentum and next steps

Right now, everything hinges on Senate Bill 298. This big bill includes the repeal of the 2024 single-stair law.

It’s expected to pass the House after clearing the Senate. But there’s still the question of how and when Connecticut will roll out its next big round of building code updates.

State leaders say a more thorough update—one that brings in modern fire safety practices—should go into effect by mid-2026.

What SB 298 means for the building-code timeline

If lawmakers repeal the single-stair provision, things go back to the usual <=3-story rule. Any future changes will need to come with stronger safety features, like better sprinklers, improved compartmentalization, and clearer escape routes.

Nothing major will shift until those upgrades are nailed down and a new adoption period kicks off.

Impact across Connecticut communities

Local leaders in many towns are watching the SB 298 debate closely. They want to know how it’ll shape permitting, zoning fights, and the pace of new development.

With towns pushing for more affordable, walkable neighborhoods, the real challenge is finding that sweet spot—adding new housing without putting residents or first responders at greater risk.

Cities and towns likely affected by the proposed repeal

Hartford
New Haven
Stamford
Bridgeport
Waterbury
Norwalk
Danbury
Greenwich
New Britain
Middletown
Norwich
East Hartford

Connecticut is juggling fire safety concerns and the push for more housing innovation. Officials in places like Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport are watching SB 298’s language with a careful eye.

Smaller towns—Middletown, Norwich, and the rest—aren’t tuning out, either. The way lawmakers handle this bill will shape the state’s next set of building-code updates.

Everyone’s got their own stake in it, whether you’re a resident or a developer. Can Connecticut really find that sweet spot between keeping people safe and letting its communities grow in smarter ways? It’s not an easy call, and the mid-2026 deadline is looming.

Here is the source article for this story: CT lawmakers to repeal 2024 single-stair building code change

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