Housing (Building Codes) in Minnesota

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SF 5153: Rulemaking requirement to allow single-exit stairway apartment buildings as part of the State Building Code

This bill directs the state to update its building code by April 1, 2027, to permit apartment buildings with only one stairway exit. The primary mechanism requires the state commissioner to adopt new rules based on the recommendations of a 2025 study specifically focused on single-exit stairway apartment buildings. While the bill does not set specific safety standards itself, it mandates that any future regulations must align with the findings of that study. This change aims to allow more flexible housing designs while ensuring compliance with the upcoming study's conclusions.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 23, 2026

HF 4545: Rulemaking required to allow single-exit stairway apartment buildings as part of State Building Code.

This bill requires the state to update its building code to permit apartment buildings with only one stairway exit, a change that would affect residential construction and renovation projects. The legislation mandates that the commissioner adopt specific rules by April 1, 2027, based on recommendations from a 2025 study on single-exit stairway apartment buildings. While the bill does not establish the exact safety standards, it directs officials to follow the study's final recommendations when creating the necessary regulations. This change aims to provide more flexibility in apartment design while ensuring compliance with the safety guidelines developed through the mandated study process.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 4137: Rulemaking required to adopt standards based on the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety's 2025 FORTIFIED Roof High Wind Standard with Hail Supplement and tailored to the climate of Minnesota as part of the State Building Code.

This bill requires the state to develop new building code standards for roof hardening based on the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety's 2025 FORTIFIED Roof High Wind Standard with Hail Supplement, adapted for Minnesota's climate. It mandates that the commissioner create specific rules for both new construction and reroofing of existing buildings, including the formation of a technical advisory group with representation from the insurance institute. The legislation directly affects building officials, contractors, and property owners by establishing higher requirements for roofs to better withstand high winds and hail damage.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 16, 2025

SF 224: Building permits requirements provision

SF 224 requires local government agencies in Minnesota to approve or deny written building permit requests - including those for zoning, septic systems, or watershed reviews - within 60 days. If an agency fails to act within this timeframe, the request is automatically approved. The bill also mandates that agencies provide written reasons for denials, with multimember bodies required to state reasons on the record and provide written justification within a specified period. This directly affects applicants seeking permits and local agencies responsible for processing these requests.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 27, 2025

HF 1136: Review procedures of building applications by government entities established.

HF 1136 establishes a 60-day deadline for Minnesota government agencies to approve or deny building permit requests, including zoning, septic systems, and watershed reviews. It directly affects applicants (individuals or businesses seeking permits) and agencies (cities, counties, school districts, and other local governments). The bill requires agencies to provide written reasons for denials and mandates fee refunds to applicants if decisions are delayed beyond 60 days. For building permits specifically, agencies must act "expeditiously," and failure to deny within the timeframe does not count as approval. The law also specifies that written denial reasons must be provided within the same timeframe as the decision.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 2013: Residential development regulations limited.

HF 2013 limits certain local regulations on residential development in Minnesota. It prohibits municipalities from requiring specific building materials, designs, or aesthetic features beyond the State Building Code (chapter 326B), and bans minimum square footage requirements for residential projects. The bill directly affects developers and homeowners seeking building permits, as local governments can no longer impose these specific restrictions. It includes an exception for developments built by the municipality itself. The law takes effect the day after final enactment.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Taxes Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 6, 2025

HF 2005: State Building Code; straw bale construction and hempcrete construction rulemaking required.

HF 2005 requires the Minnesota State Building Code commissioner to adopt specific rules for straw bale construction and hempcrete construction. This procedural bill mandates rulemaking to establish standards for these alternative building methods but does not set the rules themselves. The bill directly affects builders, developers, and inspectors who may use these materials in construction projects. It focuses on creating a regulatory framework for these sustainable building techniques within Minnesota's building code.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SF 2558: Municipalities restriction from imposing certain restrictions on residential development

SF 2558 prohibits Minnesota municipalities from imposing local restrictions on residential construction materials, methods, architectural elements, building egress, durability, energy efficiency, or light access requirements - except where mandated by the State Building Code or other state/federal law. It directly affects local governments (cities and towns) and residential developers by limiting their ability to set aesthetic or design rules for new housing. The bill includes an exemption for properties in historic districts under Minnesota Statutes §138.73 and bans municipalities from using interim ordinances to bypass these restrictions. This bill aims to standardize development requirements, reducing local regulatory barriers to housing construction. (Effective upon final enactment.)

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Building Codes Historic Preservation Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 5, 2025

HF 483: Political subdivision bans prohibited on natural gas or propane service to any building.

HF 483 prohibits local governments (like cities or counties) from banning natural gas or propane hookups to any building. It directly affects municipalities that might have tried to restrict these energy services through local ordinances, as well as building owners and utility companies seeking connections. The bill explicitly bans any local rule that prevents utilities from connecting, reconnecting, or supplying natural gas or propane to buildings. This creates a statewide standard, ensuring consistent access to these energy sources regardless of local restrictions. The policy change takes effect immediately after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Building Codes Property Development

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SF 2923: Straw bale construction and hempcrete construction rulemaking requirement provision

SF 2923 requires the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry to develop specific building rules for straw bale construction and hempcrete construction under Minnesota's State Building Code. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add a new requirement (subdivision 4(o)) mandating these rules be created. The rules will directly affect builders, architects, and inspectors working with these alternative construction methods in Minnesota. The bill itself does not specify the rules' content but sets a process for their development.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development

All housing bills