The "Home Opportunities Made Easier Act" is a proposed legislation aimed at improving housing affordability and availability for working families in Arkansas. It introduces a new subchapter to the Arkansas Code that highlights the challenges faced by moderate-income workers in securing housing and addresses regulatory barriers that limit diverse housing options. Key provisions include restrictions on local governments' ability to impose design requirements for dwelling units unless necessary for public health and safety, mandates for allowing duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes in single-family zones, and the facilitation of secondary dwelling units and tiny homes. The Act also seeks to streamline the permitting process by prohibiting excessive fees and unreasonable delays, while allowing home occupations without a permit in residential districts, provided they do not create a nuisance.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding home occupations and local government regulations, allowing reasonable restrictions to prevent nuisances but prohibiting limitations such as banning the storage of inventory unless it poses a genuine safety hazard. It also clarifies that local governments cannot impose excessive regulations on rental properties or restrict residential uses in commercial zones. The legislation emphasizes that zoning ordinances must be closely tied to public safety and health, grants individuals the right to challenge local government actions in court, and includes provisions for estoppel based on local officials' representations. Local governments are required to amend their zoning ordinances to align with the new regulations within twelve months of the bill's enactment.

Statutes affected:
SB 456: 14-56-204(c)