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H 706

IDAHO BUILDING CODES – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding single stairway building exceptions.

68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

Idaho H 706 creates building code exceptions allowing single-stairway construction in certain buildings, reducing safety redundancy for cost savings.

Reported Signed by Governor on April 10, 2026 Session Law Chapter 320 Effective: 07/01/2026
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Bill Summary · H 706

Legislative bill overview

H 706 modifies Idaho's building code requirements to create exceptions allowing single stairway construction in certain buildings, departing from the standard dual-stairway safety requirement. The bill expands circumstances under which developers and builders can construct buildings with only one means of egress stairwell instead of the typical two required for life safety purposes.

Why is this important

Building codes exist primarily to protect occupant safety during emergencies, with dual stairways ensuring people can evacuate if one route is blocked by fire or structural failure. This bill potentially reduces construction costs but introduces trade-offs between affordability and evacuation safety, affecting future building occupants and emergency responders who must operate in these structures.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety vs. affordability tradeoff: Single stairwells reduce construction costs but eliminate the redundancy that saves lives when one exit is compromised by fire or collapse
  • Scope of exceptions unclear: The bill description doesn't specify which building types, sizes, or occupancy levels qualify for single-stairway exceptions, raising questions about how broadly this applies
  • Deviation from national standards: Most states follow International Building Code standards requiring multiple exits; Idaho's exception may create inconsistency with industry norms and complicate interstate compliance

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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