Is the stairwell you’re talking about fully enclosed? If not, then I don’t think it counts. Per the article, the latest IBC codes seem to say each stairwell mu

Is the stairwell you’re talking about fully enclosed? If not, then I don’t think it counts. Per the article, the latest IBC codes seem to say each stairwell must be fully protected/enclosed and the old external ones are insufficient. I used to live in a building with something similar and if yours is like mine then I doubt it meets the latest 2nd stairwell requirements. (Which is a shame since I agree those backyard stairwells are lovely, and landlords will be even less likely to build them if they have to build 2 internal ones already. Of course if those stairwells increase property value/rent revenue, then that could incentivize them anyway)