H 8018Public Health

Health and Safety - State Building Code

This bill requires all new residential homes to have at least two standard exterior doors for exiting the building.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Municipal Government & Housing

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the Rhode Island State Building Code to establish a specific safety requirement for all future residential construction projects. The bill mandates that any new home built must include at least two separate means of exit, known as egress. Furthermore, the bill specifies that these exits must be standard exterior doors. This requirement is a condition for approval, meaning a certificate of use and occupancy cannot be issued for a new home unless it features at least two standard exterior doors.

For younger readers

This law changes the rules for building new houses to make them safer. It says that every new home built in the future must have at least two regular doors that lead outside. These doors are important so that people inside can get out quickly and safely if there is an emergency, like a fire. Builders will not be allowed to finish a house or let people live in it unless they make sure to include these two doors.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Home buildersArchitectsHome buyersBuilding inspectorsReal estate developers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Enhances safety standards for residents by ensuring there are adequate escape routes in case of fire or other emergencies, potentially saving lives.
Prevents developers from cutting corners on construction costs at the expense of occupant safety, ensuring better quality housing stock for tenants and homeowners.
Standardizes safety requirements across all new residential builds, ensuring that even lower-cost housing meets essential safety criteria regarding accessibility and egress.
Could increase construction costs for new residential units, potentially making housing less affordable for low-income individuals and families.
May restrict the development of alternative, affordable housing models like tiny homes or accessory dwelling units if they cannot easily accommodate two standard exterior doors.
Adds another regulatory hurdle for non-profit housing developers, potentially slowing down the creation of urgently needed affordable housing units.

For Conservatives

Establishes a clear, unambiguous standard for builders and contractors, reducing confusion regarding building code requirements for exits.
Protects private property and human life by ensuring adequate escape routes are available during emergencies like fires.
Ensures that new construction maintains a baseline of quality and safety, potentially protecting the long-term value of real estate investments.
Represents government overreach into private property rights by mandating specific design elements for residential construction.
Increases the regulatory burden and financial cost on builders and developers, which interferes with the free market and corporate freedom.
Removes flexibility in architectural design, preventing property owners from building homes exactly as they see fit without government interference.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 5 additions

SECTION 1. Section 23-27.3-120.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled "State Building Code" is hereby amended to read as follows: 23-27.3-120.1. New buildings.

(a) No building or structure hereafter erected shall be used or occupied in whole or in part until a certificate of use and occupancy shall have been issued by the building official. The certificate shall not be issued until all work has been completed in accordance with the provisions of this code, the Fire Safety Code (chapters 28.1 — 28.39 of this title), of all approved permits, and of all applicable codes for which a permit is required, except as provided in § 23-27.3-120.4. In addition, the certificate shall not be issued for any property serviced by a private well until the property owner has submitted documentation to the building official which demonstrates compliance with the drinking water testing requirements and the drinking water standard for coliform bacteria, fluoride, lead, nitrate and nitrite for private wells established by the director of health. A city or town may require additional testing and compliance with quality standards established pursuant to § 23-1-5.3(6).

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, approval of new residential construction shall require at a minimum, two (2) means of egress consisting of standard exterior doors.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.