Municipalities would allow eligible housing projects in business zones

Municipalities would allow eligible housing without rezoning or special zoning approvals. Staff would approve construction permits when projects meet the applicable development rules. This covers municipalities in charter counties with more than 700,000 people. Eligible zones allow offices, commerce, retail, warehouses, or mixed uses. Housing must include at least three homes or combine homes and other uses with homes occupying at least 65% of total floor space. The section excludes heavy-industrial zones, land within 1,000 feet of an existing heavy-industrial site or 3,000 feet of an airport or military base, and locally designated clear zones or accident-potential zones. Municipalities could still apply short-term rental rules, water-quality protections, and generally applicable stormwater and historic-preservation rules. Generally applicable building codes and water and sewer access rules could apply except where the chapter says otherwise. These rules would apply to development projects initiated on or after the section's effective date.

Municipalities would face limits on rules for housing density, building height, space around buildings, and parking. This covers municipalities in charter counties with more than 700,000 people. It applies to developments with at least three homes and mixed-use developments where housing occupies at least 65% of total floor space. Density limits could be no tighter than the higher of 36 homes per acre or the municipality's highest allowed residential density. Height limits could be no tighter than the higher of 45 feet or the height allowed for office, commercial, retail, or warehouse development on that site. Required space between buildings and property lines or neighboring uses could be no greater than the smaller of 25 feet or the requirement for business development on the site. Municipalities could not require more than one parking space per home or a multilevel parking structure. Municipalities could not limit building floor space relative to lot size or require business uses in multifamily housing outside mixed-use zones. The section's industrial and safety-area exclusions would apply. These limits would apply to development projects initiated on or after the section's effective date.

Municipalities could not require traffic studies, traffic-related improvements or payments, or parking beyond existing spaces for eligible building conversions. This covers office, retail, and warehouse buildings in municipalities within charter counties with more than 700,000 people. Buildings must be at least five years old when conversion would start. Conversion to mixed-use or multifamily housing must cover at least 65% of the building and at least 65% of each floor fit for occupancy. Required utility work could cover only the minimum capacity needed to serve the converted building. Design rules could be no stricter than the applicable minimums in the municipality's adopted International Building Code. Fees charged to development to help fund public facilities would be allowed only if the land was already subject to them before the conversion permit was filed. The section's industrial and safety-area exclusions would apply. The conversion rules would apply when a building permit is submitted on or after the section's effective date.

Housing organizations and others harmed by a violation could ask a court to rule on it or order the municipality to stop it. Claims would target municipalities in charter counties with more than 700,000 people. Eligible housing organizations include state-organized housing industry groups, qualifying housing advocacy nonprofits, and nonprofits that research and advocate on housing policy. A claimant must be harmed by a violation. A successful claimant would receive court costs and reasonable lawyer fees. The lawsuit must be filed in a county containing all or part of the property involved. The section covers development projects initiated, and conversion permits submitted, on or after its effective date.

Covered counties and municipalities could not charge development fees for road facilities on land outside their boundaries where they otherwise have authority to regulate. This covers charter counties with more than 700,000 people and municipalities within them, for housing projects covered by the section. Other fees charged to development to help fund public facilities would have to comply with the section. The section covers development projects initiated, and conversion permits submitted, on or after its effective date.