HF4171

Purpose

This bill adds a rule to prohibit municipalities from charging fees for residential improvements that are needed to accommodate a veteran's disability. The goal is to remove financial barriers to making homes accessible for veterans who have disabilities.

Main provisions

• Creates a new rule in Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B (section 326B.161) that requires fee waivers for certain residential improvements.
• A municipality may not charge various municipal fees for improvements needed to accommodate a veteran's disability, including fees related to licensing, building permits, inspections, or other approvals.
• If a veteran’s required improvement is needed to accommodate a disability, a municipality may not refuse to issue a license, permit, or inspection (or take other necessary steps) because of nonpayment of the related fee.
• The requirement to obtain and submit necessary documentation remains in place; applicants must still provide information to obtain licenses, permits, or approvals and must attest that the remodel is to accommodate the veteran’s disability.

Definitions

• Disability: a physical or mental impairment of a veteran that has a disability rating under United States Code title 38.
• Municipality: a county, statutory or home rule charter city, or town.
• Residential improvement: a remodel, renovation, or other improvement to a residential property that requires a license, building permit, inspection, or other municipal approval.
• Veteran: has the meaning given in section 197.447.

Fees waived for veterans with a disability

• A municipality may not charge a fee under listed statutes (examples include 326B.148, 326B.151, 326B.153, 326B.154, 326B.184, 326B.37, 326B.49, 326B.92, 326B.986, or 462.353) or any other law or rule that would authorize a fee for a residential improvement required to accommodate a veteran’s disability who lives on the property.

Nonpayment and approvals

• Municipalities cannot refuse to issue necessary licenses, building permits, approvals, or inspections for a qualifying residential improvement due to nonpayment of the related fee.

Application requirements

• This section does not remove the need to complete and submit the required application forms or documentation to obtain licenses, permits, or approvals, or to complete inspections.
• A veteran must provide proof of veteran status and attest, in the form required by the municipality, that the remodel or renovation is needed to accommodate the veteran’s disability.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds new prohibition and process (new statutory subsection 326B.161 with Subd. 2–4) to waive municipal fees for disability-related residential improvements for veterans.
• Establishes that municipalities cannot block approvals or inspections over nonpayment of such fees, while still maintaining existing documentation requirements.

Relevant Terms disability, veteran, municipality, residential improvement, license, building permit, inspection, fee, fee waiver, proof of veteran status, United States Code title 38, Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B, attestation, remodeling, renovation, housing accessibility, disability rating.