States Explore Relaxing Building Codes to Help Housing Affordability

As housing affordability continues to be a national issue, states are export how certain building may be relaxed in the name of affordability. 

States and local governments are increasingly looking at building and fire code changes as one way to lower construction costs and make smaller multifamily projects more feasible. Some of the most debated proposals involve allowing certain apartment buildings to be built with a single stairway, easing elevator requirements, pausing code update cycles, or rolling back specific electrical and fire safety mandates. Supporters argue these changes could help produce more housing on small or irregular lots, reduce project costs, and create more flexibility for infill development.

At the same time, fire officials, code experts, and safety advocates warn that many of these rules were created in response to real safety risks and should not be weakened without careful analysis. The broader tension facing policymakers is that housing affordability is a serious challenge, but code reform is not a simple fix. Any changes need to balance cost savings and development feasibility with safety and long-term protections for residents.

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At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference general session, “From Need to New Units: Financing Affordable Housing Development,” panelists will explore why it is challenging to make affordable projects work and what Maryland may do to help relieve the financial pressure.

The 2026 MACo Summer Conference will be held at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD from August 12-15. This year’s theme is “Build What’s Next.” More information can be found on our conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: