Researchers say small building code change could unlock thousands of new Utah homes

SALT LAKE CITY — A new analysis from The Pew Charitable Trusts says Utah could ease its housing shortage and lower construction costs by making one small change to its building code: allowing certain apartments to use a single stairway instead of two.

The idea, known as the single-stair design, is already legal in several other states and common internationally. Researchers say it allows smaller, mid-rise apartment buildings, typically four to six stories, to fit on lots that are too tight or irregular for larger, dual-stairway designs.

“Single-stair buildings fit on smaller parcels and cost six to thirteen percent less to build,” said Alex Horowitz, who directs housing policy at Pew. “That can be the difference between a project penciling out, or never getting built at all.”

Pew’s report says the design could open up new housing options in urban areas, including apartments built above local shops or on small commercial parcels, while keeping projects within reach for middle-income families.

Horowitz says these buildings meet modern fire-safety standards and have performed safely in U.S. cities that already allow them, including New York City and Seattle.

“In the last seven years, Utah hasn’t had a single fire death in a modern apartment building,” Horowitz said. “So this is already the safest kind of housing we have.”

Fourteen states, including Colorado, Montana, Texas and New Hampshire, have already passed laws to allow or study single-stair buildings. Pew researchers say they’ve presented their findings to Utah officials and hope lawmakers take up the idea in the 2026 session.

They argue the reform could make a significant impact as Utah continues to face rising housing costs, tight supply and growing demand in areas near jobs and transit.

“Utah has been a leader in housing reforms,” Horowitz said. “This is a simple, modern update that could help the state stay ahead while making more homes attainable for families.”

The full Pew Charitable Trusts report, including state-by-state maps and policy comparisons, is available at pewtrusts.org.

 

Related: How to navigate Utah’s expensive housing market