Massachusetts Considers Easing Stair Rules to Boost Housing

Governor Healey signs order to study allowing single-stair construction for some residential buildings

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed an executive order to create a group to study allowing single-stair construction for certain residential buildings higher than three stories. Currently, the state's building code generally requires two indoor exit staircases for buildings above three stories, which Healey says plays an important role in safety but also makes it harder to build more mid-rise housing needed to address the state's housing shortage.

Why it matters

The move is part of Healey's efforts to address Massachusetts' housing affordability crisis by making it easier to build more mid-rise residential buildings. The current two-stair requirement is seen as a barrier to constructing this type of housing, which officials say is necessary to increase the housing supply and make homes more accessible.

The details

Healey's executive order will establish a group to study allowing single-stair construction for certain residential buildings above three stories. The current building code requires two indoor exit staircases for buildings taller than three stories, a rule Healey says plays an important safety role but also makes it harder to build the mid-rise housing the state needs.

  • On February 13, 2026, Governor Maura Healey signed the executive order to create the study group.

The players

Maura Healey

The Governor of Massachusetts who signed the executive order to study easing stair requirements for certain residential buildings.

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What they’re saying

“We must find ways to build more housing, especially the mid-rise buildings that can help address our affordability crisis, while still ensuring safety.”

— Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts

What’s next

The study group created by Healey's executive order will examine the feasibility and safety implications of allowing single-stair construction for some residential buildings above three stories. Their findings and recommendations will help inform potential changes to the state's building code.

The takeaway

This move by Governor Healey underscores the difficult balance Massachusetts must strike between housing affordability and safety regulations. Easing the two-stair requirement could spur more mid-rise development, but must be done carefully to maintain proper safety standards. The outcome of the study group's work will be closely watched as the state seeks solutions to its housing crisis.