Legalizing Mid-Rise Single-Stair Housing in Massachusetts

Produced by Boston Indicators, in partnership with the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies and the Boston-based design firm Utile, this report calls for the modernization of Massachusetts building codes to allow for what is known as ‘single-stair’ construction for buildings of up to six stories and 24 units. The report suggests that modern fire suppression requirements, such as robust sprinkler systems, and recent data justify a new look at the regulations, and that the resulting code changes would create feasible alternatives to the ubiquitous “five-over-one” residential buildings with two staircases that are currently favored by most developers. This report also looks at a wave of single-stair advocacy in the US and Canada, which has resulted in several cities, states, and provinces altering their regulations around these kinds of buildings. It seeks to bring the conversation to Massachusetts, which, despite its acute housing challenges, has struggled to produce needed housing.