The proposed legislation, General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 7113, aims to facilitate the development of "light-touch density housing" in single-family residential zones. This type of housing includes various forms of residential units such as duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units, which are designed to be compatible in scale and character with traditional single-family homes. The bill establishes definitions for key terms and sets forth objective zoning, subdivision, and health or safety standards that municipalities must adhere to when considering such developments. Notably, it allows for administrative review of proposed light-touch density housing containing up to four units without discretionary hearings, provided there is access to water and sewer services.

Additionally, the bill restricts municipal agencies from imposing certain requirements that could hinder the development of light-touch density housing. These restrictions include prohibiting minimum or maximum unit size requirements, limiting lot sizes to no more than 5,000 square feet, and setting maximum building coverage ratios below 50%. The legislation also allows for some flexibility in standards, such as setback requirements and off-street parking, particularly for parcels near public transit. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the approval process for light-touch density housing while ensuring that development standards remain reasonable and accessible.