Housing (Zoning) in Minnesota

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 27, 2025

HF 1299: Emergency shelter facilities authorized in certain zoning districts.

HF 1299 amends Minnesota law to allow emergency shelter facilities as a permitted use in zoning districts designated for multifamily housing, commercial, or industrial development. It defines an "emergency shelter facility" as one providing safe, sanitary shelter for homeless individuals or families, regardless of operating hours. The bill directly affects homeless shelters seeking to operate in these zoning areas by removing a barrier to their establishment where local zoning already permits such uses. It does not require new construction but ensures shelters can operate in specified zones without needing special permits. The change applies to existing zoning regulations in Minnesota communities.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development Zoning

died · Minnesota · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SF 2824: Certain increment usage to covert vacant or underused commercial or industrial buildings to residential purposes authorization and certain increment calculations and findings required for a district converting vacant or underused property modification

Minnesota Senate File 2824 allows cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul to use tax increment financing (using future tax revenue growth) to convert vacant or underused commercial/industrial properties into residential housing. It modifies eligibility rules for tax increment districts by adding commercial/industrial properties meeting specific vacancy criteria as qualifying redevelopment areas. The bill requires local governments to verify property conditions (e.g., unused status) and adjust tax calculations when converting such properties. This directly affects municipal redevelopment agencies, property owners with eligible underused buildings, and developers seeking to repurpose commercial sites for housing. The policy change streamlines the process for repurposing underutilized urban land without altering building codes or requiring new construction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Community Development Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SF 2231: Mixed-use housing zones establishment requirement provision

SF 2231 requires cities in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties, and any city with 10,000+ residents, to create "mixed-use housing zones" by June 30, 2027. These zones permit residential developments with at least three units (within 1/2 mile of a municipal state-aid street) or four units (within 1/4 mile of such a street) on a single lot. The bill also exempts these zoning changes from needing comprehensive plan amendments until December 31, 2029, streamlining approval for multi-unit housing near transit corridors.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SF 829: Municipalities enforcing and enacting and ordinance prohibiting emergency housing facilities prohibition

SF 829 prohibits Minnesota municipalities from enacting or enforcing zoning ordinances that ban emergency housing facilities, except in residential or agricultural zones. The bill defines an emergency housing facility as a temporary shelter providing day-to-day sleeping and restroom access for people without permanent housing, for less than six months. This law directly affects cities, towns, and townships by restricting their zoning authority to block such facilities in most areas, ensuring they cannot be prohibited through local ordinances. The policy change requires municipalities to allow these facilities in non-residential zones, impacting how communities manage short-term housing solutions for homeless residents.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SF 2286: Zoning authority of municipalities related to certain multifamily and mixed-use developments limitation

This bill (SF 2286) limits Minnesota municipalities' ability to control zoning for certain multifamily housing developments. It requires cities to permit multifamily projects (13+ units or mixed-use with half residential space) in any zone allowing commercial use (except heavy industrial zones) without requiring new comprehensive plan amendments before 2029. It also changes the vote threshold for approving most comprehensive plan amendments from two-thirds to simple majority, while keeping the two-thirds requirement for affordable housing projects (defined as 20% units for households at or below 60% area median income). The bill directly affects local governments and developers by streamlining approval processes for eligible housing, though municipalities can still enforce health, safety, and infrastructure standards.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 23, 2026

HF 1987: 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.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership 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 · 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 · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SF 3418: Certain cities enactment of zoning changes related to residential density and permitted uses requirement provision and certain written instruments relating to real estate prohibition provision

This bill requires Minnesota cities with populations of 10,000 or more to adopt zoning changes by June 30, 2026. It mandates that such cities allow duplexes as a permitted use in at least 33% of all residential zones (including single-family zones) and triplexes, fourplexes, or townhouses in at least 25% of residential zones. The bill also requires cities to permit at least one accessory dwelling unit on any lot with a single-family home, following state building standards. These provisions aim to increase housing density options without restricting existing single-family homes. The bill directly affects all qualifying cities through their zoning ordinances.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Zoning

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 16, 2025

SF 225: Municipal planned units development requirements limitations

SF 225 prevents Minnesota cities from requiring special "planned unit development agreements" for residential projects that already follow existing zoning rules or qualify as conditional uses. It requires municipalities to publicly post these agreements online at least seven days before council review (or make them available at city hall if no website exists), and prohibits modifying approved agreements without all parties' consent. The bill directly affects developers building planned unit developments and homeowners in those communities by limiting city control over project terms and increasing transparency. Key provisions include banning unnecessary agreements for compliant projects, mandating public access to agreements before voting, and restricting post-approval changes.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning Tags Local Government

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