Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that amends the local zoning rules and approval processes relating to housing developments in Indiana.

Highlights:

• Requires cities and towns to submit an annual housing progress report with the following information from the previous year (Sec. 2):

• Total number of proposed residential housing units submitted to the local authority;

• Total number of proposed housing units approved by the local authority;

• Total number of proposed housing units denied by the local authority;

• Total number of net housing units calculated by subtracting lost housing from new submitted units;

• Total number of new housing units that are entitled, platted, issued a building permit, and have received a certificate of occupancy; and

• Total number of calendar days spent processing housing proposals.

• Requires cities and towns to submit an annual housing report with the following information from the previous year (Sec. 2):

• The average and median home sale prices including year over year changes;

• Median rent prices and year over year changes;

• Number of residential units constructed and occupied in total and type; and

• The percentage of new residential units relative to the area’s median incomes.

• Defines an “accessory dwelling” as a structure located in proximity to or within a single family residence, not including a manufactured home, that has the following characteristics (Sec. 13):

• Does not exceed 75% of the floor area of the single family dwelling;

• Exceeds 1,000 square feet;

• Has its own cooking, sleeping and sanitation facilities; and

• Complies with or is exempt from relevant building and safety codes.

• Prohibits the assessment of excessive fees to cover the applicable costs of the following (Sec. 17):

• Processing an application;

• Inspecting and reviewing an applicant's plans; or

• Preparing detailed statements for the applicant.

• Requires fees collected to remain in a specific fund solely designated to reimburse the costs for which the fee was collected (Sec. 17).

• Requires cities and towns to conduct a public hearing that reviews land development rules and zoning requirements with the goal of increasing housing development using the following factors (Sec. 25):

• Providing for higher density development of duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in areas designed for single family dwellings;

• Constructing other types of housing developments including accessory dwelling units and manufactured housing;

• Adaptive reuse of commercial buildings for residential use;

• Increasing allowable floor area in multifamily housing areas;

• Waiving or eliminating certain size restrictions;

• Reviewing impact fee zones;

• Streamlining or shortening permit processes;

• Property tax abatements to enable higher density and high income communities; and

• Donating vacant land for affordable housing development.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that amends the local zoning rules and approval processes relating to housing developments in Indiana.

Highlights:

• Requires cities and towns to submit an annual housing progress report with the following information from the previous year (Sec. 2):

• Total number of proposed residential housing units submitted to the local authority;

• Total number of proposed housing units approved by the local authority;

• Total number of proposed housing units denied by the local authority;

• Total number of net housing units calculated by subtracting lost housing from new submitted units;

• Total number of new housing units that are entitled, platted, issued a building permit, and have received a certificate of occupancy; and

• Total number of calendar days spent processing housing proposals.

• Requires cities and towns to submit an annual housing report with the following information from the previous year (Sec. 2):

• The average and median home sale prices including year over year changes;

• Median rent prices and year over year changes;

• Number of residential units constructed and occupied in total and type; and

• The percentage of new residential units relative to the area’s median incomes.

• Defines an “accessory dwelling” as a structure located in proximity to or within a single family residence, not including a manufactured home, that has the following characteristics (Sec. 13):

• Does not exceed 75% of the floor area of the single family dwelling;

• Exceeds 1,000 square feet;

• Has its own cooking, sleeping and sanitation facilities; and

• Complies with or is exempt from relevant building and safety codes.

• Prohibits the assessment of excessive fees to cover the applicable costs of the following (Sec. 17):

• Processing an application;

• Inspecting and reviewing an applicant's plans; or

• Preparing detailed statements for the applicant.

• Requires fees collected to remain in a specific fund solely designated to reimburse the costs for which the fee was collected (Sec. 17).

• Requires cities and towns to conduct a public hearing that reviews land development rules and zoning requirements with the goal of increasing housing development using the following factors (Sec. 25):

• Providing for higher density development of duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in areas designed for single family dwellings;

• Constructing other types of housing developments including accessory dwelling units and manufactured housing;

• Adaptive reuse of commercial buildings for residential use;

• Increasing allowable floor area in multifamily housing areas;

• Waiving or eliminating certain size restrictions;

• Reviewing impact fee zones;

• Streamlining or shortening permit processes;

• Property tax abatements to enable higher density and high income communities; and

• Donating vacant land for affordable housing development.

Full Bill Text