Lansing, MI — A narrow, targeted reform aimed at speeding up multifamily construction is gaining traction in the Michigan Senate, even as a sweeping housing package stalls in the House. Lawmakers are weighing two bills that would allow six-story apartment buildings to rely on a single interior exit stairwell, a policy that backers say could drastically cut upfront costs and unlock infill development across the state.

michigan’s single-stair reform gains

The two Senate-proposed measures were approved by the House with broad, bipartisan support earlier this year. While they sit outside the larger Housing Readiness package pushed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and party leaders, proponents argue the reform tackles a core constraint hampering new housing supply: the cost and complexity of building up to six stories in dense urban and core suburban areas.

“It’s still about trimming red tape to unlock more housing,” said Lauren Strickland, executive director of Abundant Housing Michigan. “The single-stair idea isn’t a cosmetic change—it's a practical lever to increase density where it’s most needed.”

Legislative backdrop: Housing Readiness package on pause

Despite strong industry backing, Michigan’s broader housing reform agenda has not moved through the House. The Housing Readiness package, which would modernize zoning rules, reduce minimum parking requirements, and streamline land-use approvals, has been effectively bottled up in the House Committee on Government Operations since spring. Lawmakers face competing priorities as the legislative session progresses into the summer.

Observers say the split between a targeted regulatory tweak and a sweeping reform reflects the political and fiscal tightrope around housing policy in Lansing. Advocates fear the comprehensive package could suffer the same fate as other ambitious measures in recent years—the longer it takes to advance, the greater the risk of stalling or dying in committee.

What the bills would change and who benefits

The core idea behind the single-stair reforms is straightforward: permit multifamily projects up to six stories to rely on a single interior exit stairwell, subject to building code and fire safety standards. The goal is to lower construction costs, shorten timelines, and improve the economics of infill development in cities and walkable neighborhoods.

• Scope: Applies to new construction and certain adaptive-reuse projects up to six stories tall.
• Exit requirements: Allows a single interior exit stair for the upper floors, with necessary life-safety safeguards in place.
• Impact on costs: Builders could see meaningful reductions in stair and corridor costs, potentially accelerating projects by months.
• Local control: The package would still respect local zoning decisions, but proponents argue preemption could be limited to clear, state-level standards aimed at increasing density.

Statewide context: how this fits a growing trend

Michigan’s move mirrors a national pattern where several states have embraced single-stair allowances as a tool to boost housing supply. Colorado, Texas, Montana, and New Hampshire have already adopted similar limits for mid-rise buildings. In nearby jurisdictions, Washington, D.C. is close to final action on a comparable six-story threshold, while California is considering its own path toward a statewide single-stair framework.

The shift toward a broader density-friendly approach often comes with efforts to limit local regulatory hurdles. Advocates argue that local prohibitions and overly cautious zoning rules are a primary drag on development, and that a more uniform standard can speed projects and bring down prices for renters and buyers alike.

Market and policy reactions

Builders and developers have long pressed Michigan to streamline regulations, citing rising construction costs and a shortage of affordable housing. Critics warn that loosening egress rules could raise safety and maintenance concerns or shift costs to other parts of the building code. For now, the discussion remains focused on balancing safety with speed to market.

Industry groups say the single-stair reform gains—if enacted—could influence timelines for upcoming projects. Local governments contemplating redevelopment of aging corridors may view the policy as a practical step to spur infill housing where demand is strongest, especially near transit nodes and job centers.

Looking ahead: what comes next

The immediate question is whether the Senate will approve the two single-stair bills and send them back to the House for reconciliation before the session adjourns. If they clear the Senate, the measures would still need to survive the House’s current posture on the broader Housing Readiness package. The fate of the broader package remains unclear as summer sessions begin and lawmakers recalibrate priorities.

Observers say success for michigan’s single-stair reform gains would not only provide a tangible win for housing advocates but could also set a precedent for other states weighing targeted deregulation to unlock density. Yet the real test is whether this incremental reform translates into measurable increases in housing supply in the near term, and whether it can be paired with additional guardrails to preserve safety and community character.

Key data points at a glance

• Two Senate bills cleared the House with bipartisan support earlier this year.
• The bills would permit six-story multifamily buildings to use a single interior exit stairwell, under safety-compliant rules.
• The broader Housing Readiness package has stalled in the House Committee on Government Operations since spring.
• Michigan’s move sits alongside similar reform in Colorado, Texas, Montana, and New Hampshire, with Washington, D.C. nearing a final decision.
• Advocates say the change could reduce upfront construction costs and accelerate infill housing development statewide.

As the housing market tightens, policymakers in Lansing are navigating a delicate balance between promoting growth and safeguarding safety. The next few weeks will be pivotal for michigan’s single-stair reform gains and for the broader debate over how best to align policy with the state’s housing needs.