States are changing fire codes to make housing cheaper. Some safety experts are worried [View all]

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States and cities are loosening building code requirements in an effort to lower construction costs and boost affordable housing.

Some of these changes include allowing low-rise apartment buildings to have just one stairway, reducing how often building codes are updated and rolling back specific electrical or fire safety standards.

But critics have raised safety concerns, noting that existing rules were shaped by past tragedies and aim to prevent future harm.

For example, having only one staircase could allow a developer to add another unit or expand the size of units, said Nicolle Aube, principal and founder of Civex, a planning and civil engineering consulting firm, and an American Planning Association board member.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/22/repub/states-are-changing-fire-codes-to-make-housing-cheaper-some-safety-experts-are-worried/