AB 784

This bill does all of the following:

1. Creates a multifamily housing innovation council consisting of one building inspector, one professional firefighter, one fire chief, one member of the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association, one automatic fire sprinkler fitter, one engineer, one expert on the International Residential Code, and at least one employee of the Department of Safety and Professional Services who has expertise with the commercial building code.

2. Requires the council to develop a guidebook that establishes recommendations for the design and construction of a multifamily dwelling that is served by a single stairway. The guidebook must ensure that such dwellings are designed and constructed consistently with safe occupancy and egress satisfying National Fire Protection Association standards.

3. Requires the council to establish a model ordinance that counties, cities, villages, and towns may adopt to allow multifamily housing to be built on land zoned for commercial uses.

4. Requires the council to make recommendations to DSPS and the Commercial Building Code Council regarding any changes to the commercial building code that would facilitate multifamily housing innovation recommendations developed by the council.

5. Requires the council to meet monthly until the council completes the guidebook and model ordinance. The council must also meet on the call of the secretary of DSPS to develop recommendations regarding any matter related to multifamily housing innovation specified by the secretary.

6. Authorizes counties, cities, villages, and towns to enact ordinances consistent with the guidebook that allow a multifamily dwelling up to six stories to be served by a single stairway.

Because this bill may increase or decrease, directly or indirectly, the cost of the development, construction, financing, purchasing, sale, ownership, or availability of housing in this state, the Department of Administration, as required by law, will prepare a report to be printed as an appendix to this bill.