HF 1987 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota Starter Home Act established, and zoning authority of municipalities related to residential developments limited.

HF 1987, the Minnesota Starter Home Act, allows municipalities to permit more housing types in all residential zoning districts without requiring new zoning changes. It specifically authorizes single-family homes, duplexes, accessory dwelling units (in most cases), and townhouses on newly platted lots or vacant land. The bill exempts municipalities from needing comprehensive plan amendments for these housing types until December 2029. Additionally, it lowers the voting threshold for approving affordable housing developments from a two-thirds to a simple majority vote in local governing bodies.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 17, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, reflecting legislative progress and a change in the posting date. The most significant substantive change is the removal of the 'Comprehensive plan amendment exemption,' which previously allowed municipalities to bypass zoning review requirements for starter homes until December 31, 2029. Additionally, the definition of an 'accessory dwelling unit' was narrowed to apply only to single-family dwellings rather than all dwelling types, and the exemption for duplexes was expanded to include multifamily housing.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding zoning exemptions was narrowed by removing a temporary exemption for comprehensive plan amendments, while the definition of eligible properties for accessory dwelling units was restricted to single-family homes.

REQUIREMENT

Removed a provision exempting municipalities from requiring comprehensive plan amendments for starter home projects until December 31, 2029.

Expanded the restriction on accessory dwelling units to prohibit them on lots containing multifamily housing in addition to duplexes.

Changed the lot size requirement language to allow municipalities to permit smaller lots if the lot can accommodate greater density.

DEFINITION

Narrowed the definition of 'accessory dwelling unit' to apply only to single-family dwellings instead of all dwelling types.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Elections Finance and Government Operations

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading, referred to Housing Finance and Policy

lower

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors