Could One Stairway Solve L.A.’s Housing Crunch? Here’s the Lowdown—Contractor Style

What’s Going On

L.A. city leaders are eyeballing a big change: buildings up to six stories might only need one stairway now—down from the current two. The goal? Make it easier and cheaper to build on small lots and open space for bigger, family-sized apartments.

Why Contractors Should Care

More room per dollar spent Staircases eat up square footage—and your budget. One stairway frees up room to add more or bigger units—especially those with two or three bedrooms that are in scarce supply.   Small lot builds get a shot Some narrow or awkward lots just don’t work under the two-stair rule. Allowing one could turn those “impossible” lots into buildable, rentable projects.   Family demand meets your work There are plenty of studios and one-bedrooms in L.A.—but families are scraping for space. More larger units could mean demand and profits for you.

Hold On—What About Safety?

This isn’t a “panic button” move without thought:

Firefighters raise red flags The local fire union isn’t thrilled. They argue one stairway could slow evacuation or hamper firefighter entry. Supporters say modern buildings are safer now Newer codes—like sprinklers and alarms—back up safety claims. Plus, a study in New York found no increase in fire deaths in single‑stair buildings between 2012 and 2024. Restrictions are in place The plan includes limits: no more than four units per floor, among other safety requirements.

Next Steps

The city council gave this change the green light to move forward—13 out of 15 members voted in favor. Now, staff has to draft the ordinance, consult with LAFD, city planning, legal, and so on.

For Busy Contractors—Here’s Your Cliff Notes

The Good

The Trade-off

Save space and money by ditching a stairway

Must meet upgraded safety requirements

Build more family-friendly, profitable units

Fire safety concerns remain on the table

Get your foot in the door on tight, small lots

Ordinance not final—details still being hashed out

Bottom Line

You’re on the ground building these things, so take note: one stairway could tilt a few “yes” votes in favor of projects once seen as too tight or too costly. Just don’t forget to watch for safety specs and final approval—it’s not “done deal” yet. But if it passes, you could be looking at smarter layouts, better margins, and more housing where L.A. really needs it.