Proposal would allow more housing and neighborhood businesses in local zones

County and city zoning authorities would have to allow several housing types and small neighborhood businesses in residential areas. This covers residential apartments in commercial zones, duplexes and townhouses in residential zones or on mixed-use lots, and one additional home on each lot in a single-family district. Small businesses must follow local traffic and noise rules.

Local governments would have to remove rules that set a minimum number of off-street parking spaces. The rule covers residential, commercial, and industrial properties within a local government's jurisdiction. Local governments could still require accessible parking spaces.

Local governments would assign certain zoning decisions to a hearing officer and zoning-compliance reviews to staff. This applies to county and municipal zoning authorities. The hearing-officer rule covers applications for uses that are not allowed by right, including conditional-use and special-use permits. Staff would handle applications checking zoning compliance, including site plans. The provisions on zoning appeals and application reviews apply to decisions issued and enforcement actions started after June 30, 2026.

A person or local government office affected by a zoning decision could appeal it to district court. This covers people and local government officers, departments, boards, or bureaus affected by decisions enforcing state zoning rules or local zoning rules. An appeal would not pause the challenged action unless a district court orders a pause after notice and a showing of good cause. The court could grant a variance or special exception, reverse or change the decision, or rule for the person appealing. These appeal rules apply to decisions issued and enforcement actions started after June 30, 2026.