The One Front Door Act of 2025 aims to amend the District of Columbia's building code to permit multifamily residential buildings up to six stories to have a single entrance/egress stairway. This change is intended to modernize the building code, which currently mandates two stairwells, a requirement rooted in outdated fire safety regulations. The bill highlights advancements in fire safety technology and building materials that have made single-stair buildings feasible and safe. It also notes that many major cities, including Seattle, Honolulu, and New York, have successfully implemented similar reforms, which could help reduce construction costs and increase the availability of larger residential units.

The act mandates that the Construction Codes Coordinating Board develop these amendments within two years of the bill's enactment, taking into account factors such as fire department response times and best practices from other jurisdictions. The proposed changes are expected to enhance the economic viability of housing projects, particularly on smaller lots and in infill developments, while ensuring public health and safety. The bill reflects a broader trend in various states and cities to adapt building codes to contemporary needs and practices.