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Friday September 22, 2023

THE MINNESOTA HOUSING INDUSTRY NEWS SOURCE BY HOUSING FIRST MINNESOTA

Regulatory Affairs

  • Case study examines impact of 2017 condo defect reforms

    Case study examines impact of 2017 condo defect reforms

    Housing Affordability Institute, a Twin Cities-based housing policy think tank, reviewed the impact of a 2017 state law aimed at addressing the barriers to townhome and condo construction. In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature reformed its construction defect laws for multifamily for-ownership housing to encourage more multifamily development in growing areas. This change was connected to… Read More

  • New licensing system, changes coming to Electrical Code, stormwater permit changes coming this summer 

    New licensing system, changes coming to Electrical Code, stormwater permit changes coming this summer 

    The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has a new licensing system.  All online applications and renewals for business and personal building and trades licenses and registrations moved to a new platform, effective May 8. The new platform, iMS, is an online software that supports plan review, permitting, licensing and enforcement case management.  This… Read More

  • Bloomington passes zoning reform proposal

    Bloomington passes zoning reform proposal

    The city looks to its past as a framework for its future At its May 22 meeting, the Bloomington City Council voted 5-2 to adopt its zoning reform proposal. The city’s new zoning controls include a reduction in lot size, a 60-foot-lot-width minimum and increased ability and process for lot splits and two-family dwellings.  During a… Read More

  • FHFA withdraws controversial DTI-based loan policy

    FHFA withdraws controversial DTI-based loan policy

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is backtracking a proposed policy it announced earlier this year. The new policy would create a loan level pricing adjustment (LLPA), an added fee on loans secured through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, based on the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio. The intended goal of this new policy was to compensate… Read More

  • MnDOT announces end of spring load restrictions in certain zones

    MnDOT announces end of spring load restrictions in certain zones

    The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced the end of spring load restrictions (SLR) in certain zones. SLRs will end in the following regions on April 24: Double-check with any local agencies before increasing loads in these areas and observe all posted signage regarding load restrictions on roads. MnDOT will continue to monitor and evaluate weather conditions… Read More

  • St. Paul Planning Commission approves zoning reform proposal

    St. Paul Planning Commission approves zoning reform proposal

    St. Paul’s Planning Commission approved the city’s Phase II zoning amendment, which would allow up to four-unit housing projects in areas of the city zoned for single-family housing.  Luis Pereira, planning director for the city of St. Paul, said the proposal is about increasing housing inventory in the city. He also noted the proposal does… Read More

  • President Biden vetoes WOTUS fix

    President Biden vetoes WOTUS fix

    Despite bipartisan support from Congress, President Biden vetoed congressional action of the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule, which governs what lands are subject to the Clean Waters Act. The veto comes as affected industries and environmental groups await the outcome of Sackett v. EPA, a challenge to the WOTUS definition before the United States… Read More

  • DLI Announces New Business Licensing System

    DLI Announces New Business Licensing System

    The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry announced that the state will completely switch licensing systems starting next month. Beginning May 8, 2023, all online applications and renewals for business and personal building and trades licenses and registrations will move to a new platform. The new platform, iMS, is an online software that supports plan… Read More

  • Regulatory Affairs Update

    Regulatory Affairs Update

    New DLI Commissioner, Electrical Code and Stormwater Permit Changes, Energy Code Rulemaking, and New Environmental Review Regulations Gov. Tim Walz appointed Nicole Blissenbach as commissioner of the Minnesota Departmentof Labor and Industry in December 2022. “I am excited that Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach will continue to lead the Department of Labor and Industry,” said Governor Walz.… Read More

  • New WOTUS Definition Released

    In the closing days of 2022, the Biden administration released the final definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS), expanding which land use projects require federal permitting and review.  “When Congress passed the Clean Water Act 50 years ago, it recognized that protecting our waters is essential to ensuring healthy communities and a thriving… Read More

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