Changes to Staircase Regulations in Los Angeles
Architect Simon Ha is working to fit his apartment building design into a 6,400-square-foot lot in Hollywood. The regulations in Los Angeles pose a challenge, as they require two staircases for buildings like his. After thinking it over, he devised what he calls a “Swiss watch” solution for the 2023 project.
Currently, the L.A. City Council permits just one staircase for buildings up to six stories tall, aiming to ease construction costs and streamline building on fewer lots. However, this has raised valid concerns about safety during fires and earthquakes.
Councilor Nithya Raman, alongside Councilor Katy Yaroslavsky, introduced the idea of a single staircase to expedite development and address the pressing housing shortage in the city, all while maintaining safety standards. Raman explained, “We’re trying to figure out how to build more, yet more safely.”
Interestingly, New York, Seattle, and Honolulu are among a small number of cities that had allowed single staircases for similar buildings until now. Since 2022, a shift is happening across at least 16 cities and states, spurred by a national affordability crisis.
California’s double staircase requirement has been in place since 1981, but it complicates the process for building larger apartments, as noted by planners and architects. Steven Smith from the North American Building Center advocates for a single staircase model, pointing out that it can improve layouts and ventilation in smaller apartments.
Under state law, Los Angeles can opt to reduce staircase requirements if they implement additional fire safety measures, such as advanced sprinkler systems. Under Raman and Yaroslavsky’s proposal, the maximum number of units per floor would be limited to four.
Opponents of the single staircase plan, like firefighter Frank Lima, argue that having two stairways is crucial for safety, providing multiple escape routes in emergencies. He added, “You shouldn’t cut corners at the expense of lives.” The International Association of Fire Fighters has voiced strong opposition, urging for better safety measures rather than cost-cutting designs.
On August 20, the city council voted overwhelmingly to move forward with drafting an ordinance for single staircases. Urban Planning Director Vincent Bartoni mentioned in a memo that this change could significantly increase housing availability, as Los Angeles falls short of family-sized units.
Currently, about 14% of rental units in the city have three or more bedrooms. Zachary Pitts, a director at Yimby Action, shared his struggles to secure a three-bedroom apartment, opting instead for a detached house due to lower costs compared to exorbitant rental prices.
Ha expressed optimism that relaxing the double staircase rule could open up new avenues for developers, creating “East Coast-style” townhouses reminiscent of New York. His work spans from San Francisco to San Diego, with a significant focus on micro-apartments.
Interestingly, small plots under 7,500 square feet could facilitate the single staircase design, allowing for more adaptability in cramped urban settings.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has remained silent on the single staircase proposal, though councilors assert they engaged the department through all phases of planning. Raman reassured that overall fire safety wouldn’t diminish, highlighting updates in building codes that enhance safety measures.
A Pew Charitable Trusts study, co-authored by Smith, revealed that fire death rates in buildings with single stairways are comparable to those in traditionally structured residences. Smith remarked that the double staircase code was established under very different safety conditions decades ago.
While some council members voiced concerns regarding earthquake safety, many opted to support the ordinance draft. Councilor Traci Park provided a notable dissent, emphasizing the potential benefits of multiple evacuation routes.
