The Minnesota Starter Home Act aims to limit the zoning authority of municipalities regarding certain residential developments, thereby promoting 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 establishes that these housing types must 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 homes as of January 1, 2025, and they cannot require a minimum number of parking spaces or mandate homeowners associations for new developments.

Additionally, the bill outlines required standards for residential buildings, including limitations on setbacks, lot coverage, and construction materials. Municipalities must follow an administrative process for reviewing residential development requests, ensuring that the process is not more restrictive than that for single-family dwellings. The act also prohibits municipalities from enacting interim ordinances that would delay or prevent the application of these provisions. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 462.355