The Los Angeles City Council is considering a rule allowing a single stairway for residential buildings up to six stories to reduce costs and enable construction on smaller lots. The change aims to accelerate housing production and support larger, family-sized apartments by freeing floor area currently occupied by a second stair. The double-stair requirement has been in place in California since 1981 and limits unit layouts, light, and ventilation on small lots. At least 16 other jurisdictions have proposed or adopted single-stair rules amid an affordable housing shortage. Advocates emphasize design and safety measures; critics worry about evacuation during fires and earthquakes.
"It was like designing a Swiss watch," he said of the 2023 project.
"We're trying to say, 'How can we build more safely - and build more overall?'" Raman said in an interview.
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