July 26, 2025

Chattanooga City Council Passes Single-Stair Ordinance for Housing

Chattanooga, July 26, 2025

News Summary

The Chattanooga City Council has approved an ordinance permitting multifamily buildings to be constructed with a single staircase, promoting affordable housing. This change, driven by recent state law updates, allows buildings up to five stories with specific safety requirements, including fire sprinklers and distance stipulations for unit exits. Although the ordinance aims to increase housing density, it has sparked debates about fire safety and emergency management. Other Tennessee cities are also adopting similar regulations to address affordable housing challenges.

Chattanooga City Council Approves Single-Stair Ordinance for Multifamily Buildings to Encourage Affordable Housing

The Chattanooga City Council has approved a new ordinance allowing multifamily buildings to be constructed with only one staircase instead of the traditional two. This decision, which follows a recent change in state law permitting exemptions to the International Building Code, aims to promote the development of affordable housing options, known as ‘missing middle’ housing.

Details of the Ordinance

The ordinance permits developers to build multifamily structures up to five stories high, provided that each building has a single staircase, allowing for a maximum of four units per floor. While Tennessee law allows structures to reach six stories, safety concerns led Chattanooga to cap the height at five stories.

Discussions around the new rule focused on the Chattanooga Fire Department’s capacity to manage rescues based on the heights of ladders and the sizes of fire trucks. Additionally, the new regulations mandate that each unit within the multifamily buildings be equipped with fire sprinklers, a requirement that may add approximately $30,000 to the cost of constructing each unit.

Intent and Implications

Council Chair Jenny Hill, who introduced the ordinance, stated that the approach may enable developers to construct smaller-format buildings and potentially add an extra unit per floor. However, while the ordinance might not directly reduce construction costs, its implementation is expected to enhance housing density.

Further stipulations in the ordinance specify that a unit’s door must not be more than 20 feet from the stairway, aiming to ensure safe exit routes for residents in case of an emergency. Supporters of the ordinance, including some architects, believe this measure will provide much-needed affordable housing. However, others express concerns about fire safety regarding single-stair structures.

Safety Considerations and Regulations

In response to safety apprehensions, architects like Matt Lyle emphasize that global data has not demonstrated a strong connection between single-stair buildings and heightened fire risks. The ordinance includes a requirement for all new stairways to be pressurized to avoid smoke infiltrating the escape routes during a fire event.

As Chattanooga adapts this ordinance, it follows in the footsteps of other Tennessee municipalities, including Jackson, Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, which have also introduced similar single-stair regulations. The city council plans to further investigate additional strategies for creating affordable housing in the future, including incentives linked to the new ordinance.

Context on Historical Regulations

The historical reasoning behind the necessity for two stairways stemmed from concerns over building materials and the fire hazards they pose. However, advancements in both construction materials and firefighting techniques have led to a shift in this landscape, prompting local authorities to reevaluate housing regulations.

Conclusion

The Chattanooga City Council’s decision to adopt a single-stair ordinance reflects an effort to enhance housing availability and affordability in the urban core, potentially addressing the growing demand for diverse housing options in the city.

FAQ

What does the new ordinance allow?

The ordinance allows the construction of multifamily buildings with only one staircase instead of two, aiming to increase affordable housing options.

How tall can the multifamily buildings be?

Buildings can be constructed up to five stories with the single-stair construction rule.

What safety measures are included in the ordinance?

All units must have fire sprinklers installed, and all new stairways must be pressurized to prevent smoke from entering.

Why was the height limit capped at five stories?

Safety discussions, particularly regarding rescue capabilities of the Chattanooga Fire Department, led to limiting the height to five stories.

Are other cities in Tennessee adopting similar measures?

Yes, cities such as Jackson, Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville have also implemented single-stair ordinances.

Key Features of the Ordinance

Feature	Details
Building Height Limit	Up to 5 stories
Staircase Requirement	One staircase only
Units per Floor	Maximum of 4 units
Sprinkler Requirement	Mandatory for all units
Distance from Stairway	Max 20 feet from unit door

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Chattanooga City Council Approves Single-Stair Ordinance for Multifamily Buildings

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.

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