Littleton Development News

Littleton Adopts Single Stair Building Code, Aiming for Cost Savings and Design Flexibility in Multifamily Housing

The city council approved an ordinance amending building codes to allow single stair access for Group R-2 buildings (multifamily residential). This change, based on state legislation and reviewed by fire and building officials, permits buildings up to five stories using non-combustible construction. While requiring enhanced safety features like sprinklers and smoke control, the ordinance aims to reduce construction costs by approximately 7-10% and create opportunities for more diverse housing designs and potentially increased density on smaller lots. Public comment was mixed, with support for cost savings and design flexibility, and concerns raised about safety, accessibility for seniors, and the actual impact on affordability and open space.