Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
The city of Edmonton is reforming its building code to allow single-staircase residential buildings, reports Emily Williams for CBC News.
“Also called point access block or single egress, advocates say they open up new missing middle housing options that allow for nicer units, family-friendly three-bedroom apartments, and can bring affordable housing opportunities.” One Edmonton developer estimated that removing a staircase for a small building can save up to $60,000 on the cost of construction.
While the typology has been banned in many jurisdictions, change is slowly happening in cities, states, and provinces across North America.
The guide issued by Edmonton requires developers to provide “alternative solutions” to the double staircase requirement that can include sprinklers, widened stairwells, “Additional fire resistance ratings between suites and corridors,” and pressurized stairwells that prevent the spread of smoke.
Some local fire officials oppose the policy change, arguing that leaving just one egress option is inherently more dangerous in the event of a fire. However, supporters of single-stair construction argue recent safety innovations make the buildings just as safe as others.
FULL STORY: How circumventing a rule about staircases could change Edmonton's housing market
Single-Stair Reform Gains Strength
The movement to legalize single-stair multi-story buildings is gathering momentum, with the typology offering a more efficient, flexible, and healthy way to build housing.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Study: Single-Staircase Buildings Pose No Additional Risks
Zoning codes have long prohibited single-stair residential buildings due to safety concerns, but changing that could lower the cost of construction and allow for more flexible housing designs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)