For the Golden State group:
CBC-2007-707.13.1 Refuse and Laundry Chute Enclosures: A shaft enclosure containing a refuse or laundry Chute shall not be used for any other purpose and shall be enclosed in accordance with Section 707.4. Openings into the shaft, including those from access rooms and termination rooms, shall be protected in accordance with this section and Section 715. Opening into chutes shall not be located in corridors. Doors shall be self-or automatic closing upon the actuation of a smoke detector in accordance with Section 715.4.7.3, except that heat-activated closing devices shall be permitted between the shaft and the termination room.
707.13.2 – Materials: A shaft enclosure containing a refuse or laundry chute shall be constructed of materials as permitted by the building type of construction.
The code goes on to say that refyse and laundry chute access rooms and Termination Rooms shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire barrier that has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.

I opine that laundry chutes are allowed, but they appear to be very costly if installed to current building code and personally should I find one in a R-3 occupancy I would write them up as providing a potential for spreading a localized fire, yada, yada, yada….

I also suspect that Gunner has one in his abode and may be employing it the same way Dagwood did by diving down the laundry chute to escape Blondie's request for him to do household chores?

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Jerry McCarthy
Construction Consultant
San Mateo, CA