HF 1872

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/09/2023 08:25pm

A bill for an act
relating to manufactured homes; authorizing micro-unit dwellings on religious
properties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 327.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [327.30] SACRED COMMUNITIES AND MICRO-UNIT DWELLINGS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Chronically homeless" has the meaning given in United States Code, title 42, section
11360, as amended through May 20, 2009.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Designated volunteers" means persons who have not experienced homelessness and
have been approved by the religious institution to live in a sacred community as their sole
form of housing.
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new text begin (d) "Extremely low income" means an income that is equal to or less than 30 percent of
the area median income, adjusted for family size, as estimated by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Micro unit" means a mobile residential dwelling providing permanent housing
within a sacred community that meets the requirements of subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Sacred community" means a residential settlement established on or contiguous to
the grounds of a religious institution's primary worship location primarily for the purpose
of providing permanent housing for chronically homeless persons, extremely low-income
persons, and designated volunteers that meets the requirements of subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Dwelling in micro units in sacred communities authorized. new text end

new text begin Religious
institutions are authorized to provide permanent housing to people who are chronically
homeless, extremely low-income, or designated volunteers, in sacred communities composed
of micro units.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Sacred community requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) A sacred community must provide
residents of micro units access to water and electric utilities either by connecting the micro
units to the utilities that are serving the principal building on the lot or by other comparable
means, or by providing the residents access to permanent common kitchen facilities and
common facilities for toilet, bathing, and laundry with the number and type of fixtures
required for an R-2 boarding house under Minnesota Rules, part 1305.2902. Any units that
are plumbed shall not be included in determining the minimum number of fixtures required
for the common facilities.
new text end

new text begin (b) A sacred community under this section must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be appropriately insured;
new text end

new text begin (2) have between one-third and 40 percent of the micro units occupied by designated
volunteers; and
new text end

new text begin (3) provide the municipality with a written plan approved by the religious institution's
governing board that outlines:
new text end

new text begin (i) disposal of water and sewage from micro units if not plumbed;
new text end

new text begin (ii) septic tank drainage if plumbed units are not hooked up to the primary worship
location's system;
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new text begin (iii) adequate parking, lighting, and access to units by emergency vehicles;
new text end

new text begin (iv) protocols for security and addressing conduct within the settlement; and
new text end

new text begin (v) safety protocols for severe weather.
new text end

new text begin (c) A sacred community is subject to municipal approval and regulation as a permitted
use, conditional use, or planned unit development, as determined by the municipality. If so
approved, additional permitting is not required for individual micro units.
new text end

new text begin (d) Sacred communities are subject to the laws governing landlords and tenants under
chapter 504B.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Micro unit requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) In order to be eligible to be placed within a
sacred community, a micro unit must be built to the requirements of the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) Code 119.5, which includes standards for heating, electrical
systems, and fire and life safety. A micro unit must also meet the following technical
requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) be no more than 400 gross square feet;
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new text begin (2) be built on a permanent chassis and anchored to pin foundations with engineered
fasteners;
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new text begin (3) have exterior materials that are compatible in composition, appearance, and durability
to the exterior materials used in standard residential construction;
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new text begin (4) have a minimum insulation rating of R-20 in walls, R-30 in floors, and R-38 in
ceilings, as well as residential grade insulated doors and windows;
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new text begin (5) have a dry, compostable, or plumbed toilet or other system meeting the requirements
of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Chapter 7080;
new text end

new text begin (6) have either an electrical system that meets NFPA 70 NEC, section 551 or 552 as
applicable or a low voltage electrical system that meets ANSI/RVIA Low Voltage Standard,
current edition;
new text end

new text begin (7) have minimum wall framing with two inch by four inch wood or metal studs with
framing of 16 inches to 24 inches on center, or the equivalent in structural insulated panels,
with a floor load of 40 pounds per square foot and a roof live load of 42 pounds per square
foot; and
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new text begin (8) have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.
new text end

new text begin (b) All micro units, including their anchoring, must be inspected and certified for
compliance with these requirements by a licensed Minnesota professional engineer or
qualified third-party inspector for ANSI compliance accredited pursuant to either the
American Society for Testing and Materials Appendix E541 or ISO/IEC 17020.
new text end

new text begin (c) Micro units that connect to utilities such as water, sewer, gas, or electric, must obtain
any permits or inspections required by the municipality or utility company for that connection.
new text end

new text begin (d) Micro units must comply with municipal setback requirements established by
ordinance for manufactured homes. If a municipality does not have such an ordinance, micro
units must be set back on all sides by at least ten feet.
new text end