In a move to tackle housing costs and increase density, Austin’s City Council has approved new rules allowing single-stair apartment buildings up to five stories tall.

Common in cities like Paris and Tokyo, these designs feature just one staircase serving all units, cutting down on construction costs and maximizing natural light and airflow.

Also known as point-access blocks, these buildings eliminate long corridors and secondary exits, enabling smaller footprints and more windows per unit.

In Austin, the new rules limit buildings to four units per floor and require fire sprinklers and short egress distances - no unit more than 20 feet from the stair.

Denver’s Momentum
In 2024, Denver launched the Single-Stair Housing Challenge, asking architects to rethink mid-rise housing on small infill lots.

The competition drew 211 participants from 45 countries, with backing from Governor Jared Polis and Councilman Darrell Watson. Polis even cited “Smart Stair Housing” in his 2025 State of the State speech, calling it key to solving the housing crisis.

Legislative push
that same year, Colorado introduced House Bill 24-1239, aiming to require cities to allow five-story, single-stair multifamily buildings with fire safety features like sprinklers. While the bill gained attention, it was postponed indefinitely in April 2024 after concerns from fire safety advocates.

As Denver looks to expand housing options, Austin’s bold policy could be a blueprint.

The conversation around single-stair buildings isn’t just about design, it’s about unlocking affordability.