Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to limit the regulations that municipalities can impose on residential developments, specifically focusing on aesthetic requirements and minimum square footage demands. This aims to standardize building requirements across Minnesota and simplify development processes.

Main Provisions

• Limitation on Aesthetic Mandates: Municipalities cannot condition the approval of building permits or developments based on the use of specific materials, designs, or other aesthetic features unless these are mandated by the State Building Code.

• Prohibition of Minimum Square Footage Requirements: Municipalities are restricted from setting minimum square footage requirements for residential development projects.

• Exception: These limitations do not apply to residential developments that are planned and developed by the municipality itself.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill introduces a new statute that constrains local governmental powers by restricting their ability to enforce specific aesthetic or size requirements on residential projects unless justified by existing state building codes. This is a move towards less restrictive development practices, ensuring that only state-mandated codes influence construction standards.

Relevant Terms

• Aesthetic mandates
• Minimum square footage
• State Building Code
• Municipalities
• Residential development