SB2835

A qualifying building may have no more than six stories above grade plane and four dwelling units on any floor, and it cannot be a high-rise under the applicable International Building Code. A city may use this authority whether or not it has adopted local amendments to that code. These are eligibility limits, not a requirement that a city approve every design meeting them. Final law, section 214.301(a)–(b)(2).

The law requires specified sprinkler locations in interior exit stairs under NFPA Standard 13, two-hour fire-resistant interior stair enclosures without elevator openings, and one-hour fire-resistant corridors connecting unit doors to interior exit stairs. It sets a 20-foot maximum between a unit door and an exit stair and a 125-foot maximum exit-access travel distance. Interior stair doors must swing in the specified exit directions. Other conditions govern exits through different building uses, outside exit courts and nearby openings. Emergency escape and rescue openings must meet the cited building-code standard on each floor served by a single exit. Interior exit stairs cannot contain electrical receptacles. Final law, section 214.301(b)(3)–(13).

Automatic smoke and fire detection must activate a code-compliant occupant notification system in common spaces outside units, laundry/mechanical/storage rooms, interior corridors serving units, and the specified landings or exit stairways. The final text contains 14 conditions; the linked law and incorporated standards—not this shortened description—govern a particular design. This review does not establish that a city has opted in or that any building passes its permits, technical code requirements or inspections. Final law, section 214.301(b)(14).

The Senate committee substitute reorganized the introduced proposal into section 214.301 and clarified that the authority works regardless of local building-code amendments. It made the exterior exit-door swing a requirement rather than merely permission. The introduced bill’s separately worded limits on stair-enclosure openings, direct unit-door access to interior stairs, blanket compliance with other local-code provisions and duplicate smoke-detection section do not appear as separate clauses in the final text; the final corridor, opening and alarm requirements still apply. Those omissions should not be read as a general repeal of other building laws. The Senate substitute, engrossed bill, House report and final law have the same operative text. No floor amendments are listed. Introduced bill; Senate substitute; All versions; Amendment index; Final law.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

Where a city allows this option, developers may gain more flexibility to fit small apartment buildings on a site. Fire-resistant construction, sprinklers, alarms and escape requirements remain costs and constraints. The act does not establish construction savings, cheaper rents, additional homes or a measured change in fire risk; those outcomes depend on designs, local decisions and implementation. Final law.

Both fiscal notes anticipate no state fiscal implication and no significant local-government fiscal implication. They do not calculate private construction costs or tenant savings. A fiscal estimate of little government impact is not proof that a particular project is inexpensive or safe. Introduced fiscal note; Substitute fiscal note.