The One Front Door Act of 2025 aims to amend the building code in the District of Columbia to permit multifamily residential buildings up to six stories to have a single entrance/egress stairway. This legislative change is intended to modernize the existing code, which currently mandates two stairwells, a requirement rooted in outdated fire safety regulations. The bill recognizes advancements in building materials and firefighting technology that have improved fire safety, allowing for the possibility of single-stair buildings, which are already permitted in several other U.S. cities. By allowing single-stair designs, the bill seeks to reduce construction costs, increase the feasibility of housing projects on smaller lots, and enhance the livability of residential units.

The Construction Codes Coordinating Board is tasked with promulgating the necessary rules to implement this change within two years of the act's applicability date. In developing these rules, the Board must consider factors such as fire safety, the response time of fire departments, and best practices from other jurisdictions. The bill emphasizes the importance of ensuring public health and safety while also promoting economic viability in housing production, particularly for smaller developments and the adaptive reuse of historic properties.