Bill > SF2836

This bill establishes new limitations on how municipalities in Minnesota can regulate residential development. Specifically, the bill prohibits local governments from conditioning building permits, subdivision approvals, or planned unit developments on aesthetic requirements that go beyond the State Building Code, which means cities cannot mandate specific building materials, designs, or aesthetic features when developers seek approval for residential projects. Additionally, the bill bars municipalities from imposing minimum square footage requirements for residential buildings, which could potentially make housing development more flexible and potentially more affordable. The only exception to these restrictions is when a municipality is developing a residential project itself. The bill would take effect immediately after being signed into law, meaning local governments would need to immediately adjust their residential development review processes to comply with these new limitations. This legislation appears aimed at reducing bureaucratic barriers and potentially lowering costs for residential construction by preventing local governments from imposing additional design or size restrictions beyond state building standards.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2836&ssn=0&y=2025