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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
HF 1309 prohibits Minnesota local governments (cities and counties) from requiring minimum parking spaces for new residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. The bill directly affects developers and property owners by removing a common zoning requirement that previously mandated a set number of parking spots. Key provisions state that political subdivisions cannot impose these minimums, though they may still require ADA-compliant disability parking or make non-binding parking space recommendations. This change aims to increase flexibility for development projects, potentially allowing more housing or commercial space without dedicated parking.
SF 2738 prohibits Minnesota local governments (cities, counties) from requiring minimum parking spaces for new residential, commercial, or industrial developments. The bill removes current rules that force developers to provide a specific number of off-street parking spots, except for required ADA disability parking spaces. Local governments can still recommend parking numbers or follow ADA requirements but cannot mandate minimums. This directly affects developers building new properties and local zoning officials who currently enforce parking rules. The bill aims to give developers more flexibility in property design without changing existing accessibility standards.
HF 1477 exempts residential facilities licensed for six or fewer residents from local rental licensing requirements and classifies them as permitted single-family residential use under zoning laws. This directly affects small residential care providers (like group homes) and local governments that enforce zoning and rental licensing rules. The bill modifies two Minnesota statutes to ensure such facilities cannot be subject to more restrictive rental rules than other residential properties and clarifies they are exempt from rental licensing. It includes an exception for newer juvenile residential programs treating sex offense-related violations, but this does not apply to programs licensed before July 1, 1995.
HF 2018 requires Minnesota municipalities to permit multifamily residential developments (buildings with 13+ units or mixed-use buildings with ≥50% residential space) in zoning districts that allow commercial uses, effective until December 31, 2029. It limits local governments' ability to block such projects through comprehensive plan amendments or zoning changes, mandating approval under defined conditions. Municipalities must still enforce standards for public health, safety, infrastructure, and existing environmental protections (e.g., floodplains). The bill directly affects local zoning decisions, developers seeking to build apartment complexes, and residents in communities with commercial zoning. It does not override state/federal prohibitions or require affordable housing in all projects.
HF 1134 amends Minnesota's Metropolitan Land Planning Act to update housing goal requirements and planning compliance rules for municipalities in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. It requires the Metropolitan Council to negotiate annual affordable housing goals with each municipality, which must then outline specific actions to meet these goals by June 30 each year. The bill clarifies that local zoning and fees must align with comprehensive plans and metropolitan system plans, prohibiting conflicts while allowing more specific commercial/industrial use rules. These changes apply to all participating municipalities in the seven-county metro area, focusing on ensuring planning consistency without altering housing policy outcomes.
