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 definitions for various housing types, including accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and townhouses, and establishes that these types of housing will be permitted in any zoning district that allows residential use. It mandates that municipalities must allow at least two residential units on lots zoned for single-family homes and sets specific minimum lot sizes for duplexes and townhomes connected to municipal water and sewer. Additionally, the bill prohibits municipalities from imposing more restrictive standards than those that applied to single-family dwellings as of January 1, 2025.

The legislation also outlines required standards for residential developments, including limitations on parking mandates and construction materials, and prohibits municipalities from requiring homeowners associations for new residential properties. Municipalities are required to establish an administrative process for reviewing residential development requests, ensuring that the process is not more restrictive than that for single-family dwellings. Furthermore, the bill prevents municipalities from enacting interim ordinances that would delay the application of these provisions. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 462.355