The Minnesota Starter Home Act aims to limit the zoning authority of municipalities regarding certain residential developments, thereby facilitating the construction of starter homes and new housing options. The bill introduces a new section in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 462, which defines various residential housing types, including single-family dwellings, duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and townhouses. It mandates that these housing types be permitted in any zoning district that allows residential use, with specific conditions regarding lot sizes and density. Notably, municipalities are restricted from imposing more stringent standards than those applicable to single-family dwellings as of January 1, 2025, and they cannot require a minimum number of parking spaces or mandate homeowners associations for residential properties.

Additionally, the bill outlines required standards for residential developments, including the necessity for municipalities to establish an administrative process for reviewing residential development requests. It prohibits municipalities from using official controls to impose more restrictive conditions than those specified in the act and prevents them from enacting interim ordinances that would delay its application. The provisions of the Minnesota Starter Home Act are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 462.355