Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Legislative Analysis
                                                                                  Phone: (517) 373-8080
RESIDENTIAL DUPLEXES
                                                                                  http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 6097 as reported from committee                                        Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Kristian Grant                                                      http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Economic Development and Small Business
Complete to 12-7-24
SUMMARY:
        House Bill 6097 would amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act to provide both of the
        following for a local unit that is wholly or partly located within, or is adjacent to, a
        metropolitan statistical area:
            • A residential duplex is a permitted use in any district in which a single-family residence
               is a permitted use.
            • A duplex is not subject to a special or conditional use permit or procedure that single-
               family residences are not subject to.
                Metropolitan statistical area would mean that term as defined by the US Office of
                Management and Budget. (As of July 2023, that office has delineated the following
                metropolitan statistical areas in Michigan: Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Detroit-
                Warren-Dearborn, Flint, Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, Jackson, Kalamazoo-
                Portage, Lansing-East Lansing, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon-Norton Shores, Niles,
                Saginaw, South Bend-Mishawaka [part of Michigan], and Traverse City. 1)
        Proposed MCL 125.3517
BRIEF DISCUSSION:
        According to committee testimony, most affordable types of housing, including duplexes, are
        illegal to build in most neighborhoods in Michigan. In Kent County, for example, 98% of the
        land is zoned for single-family residences, with only the remaining 2% available for multi-
        family housing. Supporters of House Bill 6097 argue that, with Michigan currently facing a
        housing shortage of 200,000 units, some basic state-level regulations are necessary to ensure
        that more homes can be built. They believe that, especially in communities that do not want
        large-scale developments, duplexes are a good solution to local housing shortages that increase
        the housing stock at more affordable price points without bringing down property values or
        distinguishably impacting the character of a neighborhood. Further, some supporters argue that
        increasing density and multifamily housing options will reduce pollution.
        Opponents of the bill argue that it would take away municipalities’ ability to address
        community-specific needs through local zoning and would instead prescribe a one-size-fits-all
1
  https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf
Standards for determining are here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/07/16/2021-15159/2020-
standards-for-delineating-core-based-statistical-areas
A map from 2020 is here: https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/reference-maps/2020/state-
maps/26_Michigan_2020.pdf
House Fiscal Agency                                                                                Page 1 of 2
       approach, which would be ineffective because developers do not necessarily pursue duplexes
       in single-family residential zones just because some communities allow them to be built there.
       Opponents suggest that better solutions to the housing shortage could include requiring
       municipalities to update their zoning laws every 10 years, prioritizing local governments that
       pursue zoning reform for state housing grants, and retrofitting vacant office space for housing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
       The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.
POSITIONS:
       Representatives of the following entities testified in support of the bill (12-3-24):
          • Abundant Housing Michigan
          • Climate Cabinet
          • Communities First Inc.
          • Home Builders Association of Michigan
          • Housing North
          • Michigan Association of Planners
          • Michigan Realtors
       The following entities indicated support for the bill (12-3-24):
          • Apartment Association of Michigan
          • Community Economic Development Association of Michigan
          • Grand Rapids Chamber
          • Mackinac Center for Public Policy
          • Michigan Environmental Council
          • Michigan League of Conservation Voters
          • Natural Resources Defense Council
          • Rental Property Owners Association of Michigan
       Representatives of the following entities testified in opposition to the bill (12-3-24):
          • City of Dexter
          • Michigan Municipal League
          • Michigan Townships Association
       The City of Wyoming indicated opposition to the bill. (12-3-24)
                                                           Legislative Analyst: Holly Kuhn
                                                                Fiscal Analyst: Michael Cnossen
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency                                                     HB 6097 as reported       Page 2 of 2
Statutes affected: 
Substitute (H-1): 125.3101, 125.3702
House Introduced Bill: 125.3101, 125.3702