This bill proposes changes to Minnesota’s zoning laws to increase the availability of mixed-use and higher-density housing in urban and suburban areas. Key provisions include:

1. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Exemption: Municipalities will not be required to amend their comprehensive plans before December 31, 2029, to implement the changes mandated by this bill.

2. Lower Voting Threshold for Affordable Housing Approvals: Changes to comprehensive plans to allow affordable housing developments will only require a simple majority vote rather than a two-thirds majority.

3. Creation of Mixed-Use Housing Zones:

   • Cities in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area and any municipality with a population of 10,000 or more must establish mixed-use housing zones by June 30, 2027.
   • These zones must allow residential or mixed-use buildings with at least three units within a half-mile of a municipal state-aid street or four units within a quarter-mile.

4. Limitations on Municipal Authority:

   • Mixed-use housing zones must permit various housing types, including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, accessory dwelling units, and mixed-use developments.
   • Municipalities cannot impose minimum parking requirements.
   • Lot coverage must be at least 80%, and density must allow at least 25 residential units per acre.
   • Minimum lot sizes must be no larger than the smallest existing lot size in the municipality as of January 1, 2025.

5. Streamlined Approval Process:

   • Cities must establish an administrative process for approving developments.
   • Requests must be reviewed based on compliance with zoning laws.
   • Conditional use permits or additional approval processes cannot be required unless for health or safety reasons.
   • Municipalities cannot require new developments to be part of a homeowners association.

6. Penalties for Non-Compliance:

   • If a municipality fails to adopt the required zoning standards by June 30, 2027, residential developments of up to six units will automatically be permitted on applicable lots.

7. Ban on Pause or Delay Ordinances: Municipalities cannot use interim ordinances to block or delay the implementation of these zoning changes.

Overall, the bill aims to encourage cities to allow more housing density, particularly near public transportation, by limiting local zoning restrictions and expediting development processes.