Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF2018 Compare Versions

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11 1.1 A bill for an act​
2-1.2 relating to local government; limiting the zoning authority of municipalities related​
3-1.3 to certain multifamily and mixed-use developments; proposing coding for new​
4-1.4 law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 462.​
5-1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​
6-1.6 Section 1. [462.3572] MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS.​
7-1.7 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have​
8-1.8the meanings given.​
9-1.9 (b) "Affordable housing development" means a multifamily development in which the​
10-1.10residential units are:​
11-1.11 (1) owner-occupied units that are income restricted to households that, at the time of​
12-1.12initial occupancy, have an income at or below 115 percent of state or area median income,​
13-1.13whichever is greater, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban​
14-1.14Development; or​
15-1.15 (2) leased units that satisfy the definition of a qualified low-income housing project​
16-1.16under section 42(g) of the Internal Revenue Code, with a deed or declaration for the leased​
17-1.17residential units containing a restrictive covenant requiring the property to remain affordable​
18-1.18housing for 30 years.​
19-1.19 (c) "Applicant" has the meaning provided in section 15.99.​
20-1.20 (d) "Minimum parking mandate" means a law, rule, or ordinance that specifies a minimum​
21-1.21number of motor vehicle parking spaces, including on-street or off-street within a garage​
22-1.22or other enclosed area.​
23-1​Section 1.​
24-REVISOR MS H2018-1​HF2018 FIRST ENGROSSMENT​
2+1.2 relating to local government; modifying requirements related to comprehensive​
3+1.3 plan amendments; limiting the zoning authority of municipalities related to certain​
4+1.4 multifamily and mixed-use developments; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,​
5+1.5 section 462.355, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new​
6+1.6 law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 462.​
7+1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​
8+1.8 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 462.355, is amended by adding a subdivision​
9+1.9to read:​
10+1.10 Subd. 1b.Comprehensive plan amendment exemption.Notwithstanding subdivision​
11+1.111a or other law or rule, no comprehensive plan amendments shall be required before​
12+1.12December 31, 2029, for changes to municipal zoning controls required by section 462.3572,​
13+1.13including any new housing authorized by that section.​
14+1.14 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 462.355, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
15+1.15 Subd. 3.Adoption by governing body.A proposed comprehensive plan or an amendment​
16+1.16to it may not be acted upon by the governing body until it has received the recommendation​
17+1.17of the planning agency or until 60 days have elapsed from the date an amendment proposed​
18+1.18by the governing body has been submitted to the planning agency for its recommendation.​
19+1.19Unless otherwise provided by charter, the governing body may by resolution adopt and​
20+1.20amend the comprehensive plan or portion thereof as the official municipal plan upon such​
21+1.21notice and hearing as may be prescribed by ordinance. Except for amendments to permit​
22+1.22affordable housing development, A resolution to amend or adopt a comprehensive plan​
23+1.23must be approved by a two-thirds vote simple majority of all of the members. Amendments​
24+1​Sec. 2.​
25+REVISOR MS/LJ 25-03989​02/26/25 ​
2526 State of Minnesota​
2627 This Document can be made available​
2728 in alternative formats upon request​
2829 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES​
2930 H. F. No. 2018​
3031 NINETY-FOURTH SESSION​
3132 Authored by Kozlowski, Dotseth, Howard, Igo, Kraft and others​03/10/2025​
32-The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Housing Finance and Policy​
33-Adoption of Report: Amended and re-referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations​03/17/2025​ 2.1 (e) "Multifamily residential development" means a single residential building with at​
34-2.2least 13 units or a mixed-use building with commercial use on the ground floor, and at least​
35-2.3half of the usable square footage is for residential use.​
36-2.4 (f) "Request" has the meaning provided in section 15.99, except that for the purposes​
37-2.5of this section, it also includes a written application for a building permit or a proposed​
38-2.6subdivision related to a multifamily residential development.​
39-2.7 (g) "Residential unit" means a building or part of a building intended to be used as a​
40-2.8dwelling by a single owner or tenant.​
41-2.9 Subd. 2.Multifamily and mixed-use development permitted.(a) A multifamily​
42-2.10residential development shall be a permitted use in any zoning district in a municipality that​
43-2.11authorizes commercial uses, except if such zoning district also authorizes heavy industrial​
44-2.12uses as a permitted use.​
45-2.13 (b) A municipality must approve a multifamily residential development authorized under​
46-2.14paragraph (a), pursuant to the process and limitations established in subdivisions 3 and 4.​
47-2.15 (c) Subject to the limitations in subdivisions 3, 4, and 6, a development authorized under​
48-2.16paragraph (a) must comply with any standards, performance conditions, or requirements,​
49-2.17including the adequacy of existing public infrastructure, imposed by a municipality to protect​
50-2.18public health, safety, and general welfare.​
51-2.19 (d) Nothing in this section authorizes a multifamily residential development that is​
52-2.20prohibited by state or federal law or rule, or is prohibited under an ordinance adopted​
53-2.21pursuant to such a state or federal law or rule, to protect floodplains, areas of critical or​
54-2.22historic concern, wild and scenic rivers, or shore land, or that otherwise restricts residential​
55-2.23units to protect and preserve public health, the environment, or scenic areas.​
56-2.24 (e) A city may establish local controls or ordinances to require that multifamily residential​
57-2.25developments constructed under this section that replace existing commercial or industrial​
58-2.26structures be mixed use, with commercial use on the ground floor and at least of half of the​
59-2.27usable square footage dedicated to residential use. This provision does not apply to an​
60-2.28affordable housing development.​
61-2.29 (f) For purposes of this section, public health, safety, and general welfare does not include​
62-2.30traffic, noise, or nuisance concerns for developments with less than 300 units.​
63-2.31 Subd. 3.Required standards.(a) The following limitations and required standards​
64-2.32apply to a multifamily residential development permitted under subdivision 2.​
65-2​Section 1.​
66-REVISOR MS H2018-1​HF2018 FIRST ENGROSSMENT​ 3.1 (b) Any standards, performance conditions, or requirements imposed by a municipality​
67-3.2must directly relate to protecting health or safety.​
68-3.3 (c) A municipality must allow a floor area ratio of 2.5 or greater.​
69-3.4 (d) The following municipalities must not impose a height limitation that is less than 75​
70-3.5feet above grade:​
71-3.6 (1) cities of the first class;​
72-3.7 (2) the city of St. Cloud; and​
73-3.8 (3) municipalities in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott,​
74-3.9and Washington.​
75-3.10 (e) A municipality other than those listed in paragraph (d) must not impose a height​
76-3.11limitation that is less than the higher of:​
77-3.12 (1) the tallest commercial or multifamily building that zoning standards authorize in the​
78-3.13same zoning district; or​
79-3.14 (2) the tallest existing commercial or multifamily building within one-quarter mile within​
80-3.15the municipality, excluding nonconforming buildings built before January 1, 1975.​
81-3.16 (f) A municipality must allow setback and lot coverage requirements equal to those​
82-3.17allowed for a commercial building in the same zoning district.​
83-3.18 (g) A municipality must not impose more restrictive standards, performance conditions,​
84-3.19or requirements than those that would apply to a commercial building.​
85-3.20 (h) A municipality must not impose minimum parking mandates on a multifamily​
86-3.21residential development or the residential portion of a mixed-use development, except that​
87-3.22a municipality may pass and enforce an ordinance under section 169.346, subdivision 4,​
88-3.23related to disability parking spaces or any provision of the Minnesota Accessibility Code,​
89-3.24Minnesota Rules, chapter 1341.​
90-3.25 (i) A municipality must not impose standards, performance conditions, or requirements​
91-3.26on an affordable housing development that are more restrictive than those imposed on a​
92-3.27market rate multifamily residential development.​
93-3.28 (j) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) to (h), a municipality may use official controls that​
94-3.29result in increased density, including by imposing performance conditions, standards, or​
95-3.30other requirements.​
96-3​Section 1.​
97-REVISOR MS H2018-1​HF2018 FIRST ENGROSSMENT​ 4.1 Subd. 4.Administrative approval process.(a) A municipality must establish and follow​
98-4.2an administrative process to review requests related to a development permitted under​
99-4.3subdivision 2 in accordance with the process outlined in section 15.99. Notwithstanding​
100-4.4language to the contrary in section 15.99, subdivision 2, the time limit in section 15.99 shall​
101-4.5apply to a request for a building permit or a proposed subdivision for the purposes of this​
102-4.6section. Failure of a municipality to deny a request within the time limit provided under​
103-4.7section 15.99 is approval of the request.​
104-4.8 (b) An applicant may provide written authorization to a municipality to toll the review​
105-4.9time limit provided by section 15.99. The applicant may also direct in writing that the​
106-4.10municipality resume the 60-day time limit for a request that was previously tolled by​
107-4.11authorization of the applicant. A municipality must not charge a fee to the applicant for a​
108-4.12request under this paragraph.​
109-4.13 (c) A municipality must specify in writing, including on any application form provided​
110-4.14by the municipality, all requirements that a request must fulfill for a request to be deemed​
111-4.15complete and for the time limit in section 15.99, subdivision 2, to begin. Such requirements​
112-4.16may not include a requirement that an applicant waive any rights, forgo the process​
113-4.17established in this subdivision, or consent to exactions, dedications, or fees, except that a​
114-4.18municipality may charge a standard application fee for the request.​
115-4.19 (d) A municipality engaging in the process established in paragraph (a) must:​
116-4.20 (1) approve or deny a request for a building permit or proposed subdivision based on​
117-4.21the alignment of the request with the municipality's comprehensive plan, applicable zoning​
118-4.22requirements, and subdivision regulations;​
119-4.23 (2) not require a conditional use permit or planned unit development agreement, except​
120-4.24that a municipality may require a conditional use permit or planned unit development​
121-4.25agreement to address an identified and documented risk to health or safety;​
122-4.26 (3) not require more than one community meeting prior to approval of a request, except​
123-4.27if more are required by state or federal law, or the project involves or affects a lot located​
124-4.28in a historic district under section 138.73; and​
125-4.29 (4) provide any development agreement to the applicant no less than three days in advance​
126-4.30of final plat approval or before final approval of a request if a plat is not required.​
127-4.31 Subd. 5.Affordable and workforce housing density bonus.A municipality must​
128-4.32permit an affordable housing development or a workforce housing development meeting​
129-4.33the requirements of section 462A.39, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), to exceed one or more​
130-4​Section 1.​
131-REVISOR MS H2018-1​HF2018 FIRST ENGROSSMENT​ 5.1maximum dimensional standards imposed by official zoning controls as a zoning density​
132-5.2bonus, including:​
133-5.3 (1) a building height increase of at least 35 feet or 30 percent, whichever is greater;​
134-5.4 (2) an increase of at least 30 percent in allowed floor area ratio, units per acre, total​
135-5.5number of units, or maximum lot coverage; or​
136-5.6 (3) increases in other dimensional standards that increase building size by at least 30​
137-5.7percent more than what is allowed for market rate multifamily developments in the​
138-5.8jurisdiction.​
139-5.9 Subd. 6.Official controls; limitations.A municipality must not use official controls​
140-5.10to prohibit the application of this section, including by imposing performance conditions,​
141-5.11standards, requirements, ordinances, fees, exactions, and dedications on a multifamily​
142-5.12residential development that are more restrictive than those in this section or other municipal​
143-5.13law or rule.​
144-5.14 Subd. 7.Interim ordinance.No municipality shall enact an interim ordinance as provided​
145-5.15under section 462.355, subdivision 4, related to the policies specified in this section.​
146-5.16 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.​
147-5​Section 1.​
148-REVISOR MS H2018-1​HF2018 FIRST ENGROSSMENT​
33+The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Housing Finance and Policy​ 2.1to permit an affordable housing development are approved by a simple majority of all of​
34+2.2the members. For purposes of this subdivision, "affordable housing development" means a​
35+2.3development in which at least 20 percent of the residential units are restricted to occupancy​
36+2.4for at least ten years by residents whose household income at the time of initial occupancy​
37+2.5does not exceed 60 percent of area median income, adjusted for household size, as determined​
38+2.6by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and with respect to​
39+2.7rental units, the rents for affordable units do not exceed 30 percent of 60 percent of area​
40+2.8median income, adjusted for household size, as determined annually by the United States​
41+2.9Department of Housing and Urban Development.​
42+2.10 Sec. 3. [462.3572] MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS.​
43+2.11 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have​
44+2.12the meanings given.​
45+2.13 (b) "Affordable housing development" means a multifamily development in which the​
46+2.14residential units are:​
47+2.15 (1) owner-occupied units that are income restricted to households that, at the time of​
48+2.16initial occupancy, have an income at or below 115 percent of state or area median income,​
49+2.17whichever is greater, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban​
50+2.18Development; or​
51+2.19 (2) leased units that satisfy the definition of a qualified low-income housing project​
52+2.20under section 42(g) of the Internal Revenue Code, with a deed or declaration for the leased​
53+2.21residential units containing a restrictive covenant requiring the property to remain affordable​
54+2.22housing for 30 years.​
55+2.23 (c) "Applicant" has the meaning provided in section 15.99.​
56+2.24 (d) "Minimum parking mandate" means a law, rule, or ordinance that specifies a minimum​
57+2.25number of motor vehicle parking spaces, including on-street or off-street within a garage​
58+2.26or other enclosed area.​
59+2.27 (e) "Multifamily residential development" means a single residential building with at​
60+2.28least 13 units or a mixed-use building with commercial use on the ground floor, and at least​
61+2.29half of the usable square footage is for residential use.​
62+2.30 (f) "Request" has the meaning provided in section 15.99, except that for the purposes​
63+2.31of this section, it also includes a written application for a building permit or a proposed​
64+2.32subdivision related to a multifamily residential development.​
65+2​Sec. 3.​
66+REVISOR MS/LJ 25-03989​02/26/25 ​ 3.1 (g) "Residential unit" means a building or part of a building intended to be used as a​
67+3.2dwelling by a single owner or tenant.​
68+3.3 Subd. 2.Multifamily and mixed-use development permitted.(a) A multifamily​
69+3.4residential development shall be a permitted use in any zoning district in a municipality that​
70+3.5authorizes commercial uses, except if such zoning district also authorizes heavy industrial​
71+3.6uses as a permitted use.​
72+3.7 (b) A municipality must approve a multifamily residential development authorized under​
73+3.8paragraph (a), pursuant to the process and limitations established in subdivisions 3 and 4.​
74+3.9 (c) Subject to the limitations in subdivisions 3, 4, and 6, a development authorized under​
75+3.10paragraph (a) must comply with any standards, performance conditions, or requirements,​
76+3.11including the adequacy of existing public infrastructure, imposed by a municipality to protect​
77+3.12public health, safety, and general welfare.​
78+3.13 (d) Nothing in this section authorizes a multifamily residential development that is​
79+3.14prohibited by state or federal law or rule, or is prohibited under an ordinance adopted​
80+3.15pursuant to such a state or federal law or rule, to protect floodplains, areas of critical or​
81+3.16historic concern, wild and scenic rivers, or shore land, or that otherwise restricts residential​
82+3.17units to protect and preserve public health, the environment, or scenic areas.​
83+3.18 (e) A city may establish local controls or ordinances to require that multifamily residential​
84+3.19developments constructed under this section that replace existing commercial or industrial​
85+3.20structures be mixed use, with commercial use on the ground floor and at least of half of the​
86+3.21usable square footage dedicated to residential use.​
87+3.22 (f) For purposes of this section, public health, safety, and general welfare does not include​
88+3.23traffic, noise, or nuisance concerns for developments with less than 300 units.​
89+3.24 Subd. 3.Required standards.(a) The following limitations and required standards​
90+3.25apply to a multifamily residential development permitted under subdivision 2.​
91+3.26 (b) Any standards, performance conditions, or requirements imposed by a municipality​
92+3.27must directly relate to protecting health or safety.​
93+3.28 (c) A municipality must allow a floor area ratio of 2.5 or greater.​
94+3.29 (d) The following municipalities must not impose a height limitation that is less than 75​
95+3.30feet above grade:​
96+3.31 (1) cities of the first class;​
97+3.32 (2) the city of St. Cloud; and​
98+3​Sec. 3.​
99+REVISOR MS/LJ 25-03989​02/26/25 ​ 4.1 (3) municipalities in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott,​
100+4.2and Washington.​
101+4.3 (e) A municipality other than those listed in paragraph (d) must not impose a height​
102+4.4limitation that is less than the higher of:​
103+4.5 (1) the tallest commercial or multifamily building that zoning standards authorize in the​
104+4.6same zoning district; or​
105+4.7 (2) the tallest existing commercial or multifamily building within one-quarter mile within​
106+4.8the municipality, excluding nonconforming buildings built before January 1, 1975.​
107+4.9 (f) A municipality must allow setback and lot coverage requirements equal to those​
108+4.10allowed for a commercial building in the same zoning district.​
109+4.11 (g) A municipality must not impose more restrictive standards, performance conditions,​
110+4.12or requirements than those that would apply to a commercial building.​
111+4.13 (h) A municipality must not impose requirements related to construction materials or​
112+4.14methods, including architectural elements, building egress, durability, energy efficiency,​
113+4.15or light access requirements, except as required by the State Building Code, as defined by​
114+4.16section 326B.121 or other state or federal law or rule.​
115+4.17 (i) A municipality must not impose minimum parking mandates on a multifamily​
116+4.18residential development or the residential portion of a mixed-use development, except that​
117+4.19a municipality may pass and enforce an ordinance under section 169.346, subdivision 4,​
118+4.20related to disability parking spaces or any provision of the Minnesota Accessibility Code,​
119+4.21Minnesota Rules, chapter 1341.​
120+4.22 (j) A municipality must not impose standards, performance conditions, or requirements​
121+4.23on an affordable housing development that are more restrictive than those imposed on a​
122+4.24market rate multifamily residential development.​
123+4.25 (k) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) to (i), a municipality may use official controls that​
124+4.26result in increased density, including by imposing performance conditions, standards, or​
125+4.27other requirements.​
126+4.28 Subd. 4.Administrative approval process.(a) A municipality must establish and follow​
127+4.29an administrative process to review requests related to a development permitted under​
128+4.30subdivision 2 in accordance with the process outlined in section 15.99. Notwithstanding​
129+4.31language to the contrary in section 15.99, subdivision 2, the time limit in section 15.99 shall​
130+4.32apply to a request for a building permit or a proposed subdivision for the purposes of this​
131+4​Sec. 3.​
132+REVISOR MS/LJ 25-03989​02/26/25 ​ 5.1section. Failure of a municipality to deny a request within the time limit provided under​
133+5.2section 15.99 is approval of the request.​
134+5.3 (b) An applicant may provide written authorization to a municipality to toll the review​
135+5.4time limit provided by section 15.99. The applicant may also direct in writing that the​
136+5.5municipality resume the 60-day time limit for a request that was previously tolled by​
137+5.6authorization of the applicant. A municipality must not charge a fee to the applicant for a​
138+5.7request under this paragraph.​
139+5.8 (c) A municipality must specify in writing, including on any application form provided​
140+5.9by the municipality, all requirements that a request must fulfill for a request to be deemed​
141+5.10complete and for the time limit in section 15.99, subdivision 2, to begin. Such requirements​
142+5.11may not include a requirement that an applicant waive any rights, forgo the process​
143+5.12established in this subdivision, or consent to exactions, dedications, or fees, except that a​
144+5.13municipality may charge a standard application fee for the request.​
145+5.14 (d) A municipality engaging in the process established in paragraph (a) must:​
146+5.15 (1) approve or deny a request for a building permit or proposed subdivision based on​
147+5.16the alignment of the request with the municipality's comprehensive plan, applicable zoning​
148+5.17requirements, and subdivision regulations;​
149+5.18 (2) not require a conditional use permit or planned unit development agreement, except​
150+5.19that a municipality may require a conditional use permit or planned unit development​
151+5.20agreement to address an identified and documented risk to health or safety;​
152+5.21 (3) not require more than one community meeting prior to approval of a request, except​
153+5.22if more are required by state or federal law, or the project involves or affects a lot located​
154+5.23in a historic district under section 138.73; and​
155+5.24 (4) provide any development agreement to the applicant no less than three days in advance​
156+5.25of final plat approval or before final approval of a request if a plat is not required.​
157+5.26 Subd. 5.Affordable housing density bonus.A municipality must permit an affordable​
158+5.27housing development to exceed one or more maximum dimensional standards imposed by​
159+5.28official zoning controls as a zoning density bonus, including:​
160+5.29 (1) a building height increase of at least 35 feet;​
161+5.30 (2) an increased floor area ratio;​
162+5.31 (3) an increased number of units per acre;​
163+5.32 (4) an increased total number of units;​
164+5​Sec. 3.​
165+REVISOR MS/LJ 25-03989​02/26/25 ​ 6.1 (5) a higher percentage of lot coverage; or​
166+6.2 (6) other dimensional standards that increase building size by at least 30 percent more​
167+6.3than what is allowed for market rate multifamily developments in the jurisdiction.​
168+6.4 Subd. 6.Official controls; limitations.A municipality must not use official controls​
169+6.5to prohibit the application of this section, including by imposing performance conditions,​
170+6.6standards, requirements, ordinances, fees, exactions, and dedications on a multifamily​
171+6.7residential development that are more restrictive than those in this section or other municipal​
172+6.8law or rule.​
173+6.9 Subd. 7.Interim ordinance.No municipality shall enact an interim ordinance as provided​
174+6.10under section 462.355, subdivision 4, related to the policies specified in this section.​
175+6.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.​
176+6​Sec. 3.​
177+REVISOR MS/LJ 25-03989​02/26/25 ​