The Legalizing Affordable Housing Act proposes significant amendments to Minnesota Statutes concerning local and metropolitan government, particularly in land use and planning. The bill introduces new definitions for terms such as "impact fee," "district," and "local government," allowing local governments to impose impact fees on new developments to fund essential capital improvements. It establishes guidelines for the use of these fees, which can support transportation infrastructure, water supply, and public safety facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates the formation of an impact fee advisory committee and provides exemptions for low- and moderate-income housing projects identified in comprehensive plans. It also clarifies the relationship between official controls and comprehensive plans, ensuring that local ordinances align with these plans and introducing provisions for interim ordinances related to housing proposals.

Further amendments focus on enhancing regulations for municipal planning and land use, including requirements for subdivisions to align with official maps and zoning ordinances while protecting agricultural lands and solar energy access. The bill allows two-family properties in single-family zones and prohibits municipalities from imposing aesthetic mandates or minimum square footage requirements for residential buildings. It also introduces municipal dedication fees for public land use, mandates transparency in the use of park development funds, and requires land use plans to include minimum density for residential development. Additionally, the bill sets new disclosure requirements for energy costs in residential property sales and repeals certain special laws related to land use in specific areas, aiming to streamline development processes and promote affordable housing initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 473.145, 394.24, 462.355, 462.357, 462.358, 473.254, 473.858, 473.865, 473.859, 473.517, 15.99, 326B.153, 326B.145