Bill > HF3895

This bill, effective January 1, 2028, limits the zoning authority of local governments in Minnesota over certain housing types, particularly in municipalities with populations of 5,000 or more (or 1,000 or more in the metropolitan area). It mandates that municipalities allow "mixed housing"—defined as duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and townhouses—as a permitted use on at least 33% of land zoned for single-family homes, prioritizing locations near transit, schools, parks, and commercial areas. The bill also restricts municipalities from imposing certain design standards on residential buildings with four or fewer units, such as specific exterior finishes, roof pitches, or minimum garage sizes, and prohibits them from requiring homeowners associations unless requested by the developer. Furthermore, it requires municipalities to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which is a separate living space on the same lot as a primary home, as a permitted use on any residential lot with a single-family home, and mandates that at least 33% of commercially zoned districts must allow multifamily residential developments as a permitted use, with some flexibility on ground-floor commercial space requirements for affordable housing projects. The bill also sets limits on minimum lot sizes for new developments on undeveloped land ("greenfield lots") and townhouses, and requires municipalities to make information about their compliance with these new housing provisions publicly available. While municipalities can still impose reasonable requirements for public health and safety, this bill aims to streamline the approval process and encourage the development of a wider variety of housing options.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/HF/3895/