Regulatory Affairs
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Minnesota celebrates the 50th anniversary of the state building code
Before Minnesota had a state building code, each city oversaw its own code. On July 1, 1972, state law first required every city and county that had a building code to begin enforcing the Minnesota State Building Code. The enabling legislation to the state code stated, “A multitude of laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and codes […] Read More
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Judge offers tepid support for residential energy code adoption
Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman issued his non-binding recommendation on the adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), recommending opening rulemaking. His comments, issued in October, also noted that the agency could wait until the 2024 model codes are published. “Accordingly, between the two alternatives presented to the Commissioner today, the Administrative Law […] Read More
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City of Plymouth proposes new inclusionary zoning policy
The city of Plymouth unveiled the final draft of its moderate-income housing policy, which aims to increase the production of housing units in the city available to residents making less than the area median income. Under the proposal, all types of new housing receiving financial assistance from the city would need to reserve 10% to […] Read More
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St. Paul revisits rent control after federal lawsuit and decline in production
After a citywide slowdown in housing construction and a federal lawsuit, the city of St. Paul has taken steps to amend the city’s voter-approved rent-control ordinance that took effect in May. In November 2021, St. Paul residents approved the nation’s strictest rent control measure. St. Paul’s rent control policy capped rent increases to 3%, and […] Read More
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Energy Code review, 2023 National Electrical Code, water quality fees
On Aug. 23, Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman held a virtual hearing on the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) review of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). At this hearing and over the next several weeks, stakeholders weighed in on this review and whether to open Minnesota’s residential energy code for rulemaking. Back in […] Read More
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Work underway on 2023 construction stormwater permit; Electrical Code adoption; Board of Plumbing and Electricity back in person; Energy Code review coming
2023 construction stormwater permit update The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has begun working on the state’s 2023 construction stormwater permit. Minnesota’s construction stormwater permit is adopted every five years and must conform to the EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System specifications. MPCA staff are meeting with stakeholders and reviewing how to best work federal […] Read More
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St. Paul rent control challenged in federal court
Two apartment operators filed a federal lawsuit against the City of St. Paul over its rent stabilization policy in June. In November 2021, St. Paul voters approved a rent control ordinance considered the strictest in the nation. The two apartment operators, Lofts at Farmers Market, LLC and Woodstone Limited Partnership, are seeking a declaration that […] Read More
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Minneapolis Fed survey reveals growing complications in construction
The overall construction environment for the region remains a challenging one. In the Minneapolis Federal Reserve’s latest survey of construction organizations in their ninth district, construction firms reported that while revenue trends remain positive, overall challenges are growing and concerns are increasing. The survey revealed that while construction firms expect more cancellations this year, they […] Read More
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Minnesota Supreme Court to review Burnsville park fee case
The Minnesota Supreme Court announced it will review the Puce v. Burnsville park fee suit following the city of Burnsville’s appeal of a February Court of Appeals victory for project applicant Almir Puce. At a mid-January 2019 meeting, the Burnsville Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve Puce’s commercial project with 17 conditions, one of which […] Read More
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End of drought brings more emphasis on stormwater practices
Between the winter snowmelt and heavy spring rain, the drought has ended in Minnesota. As of mid-May, only a small portion of the state is classified as “abnormally dry.” As the housing industry enters the wettest months of the year, Housing Industry News is providing a reminder on stormwater compliance. Best management practices (BMPs) are […] Read More
