We need your voice! Join our efforts to protect local decision-making.
MTA is asking for your immediate help in opposing zoning preemption legislation recently introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives and currently before the Government Operations Committee. If enacted, this legislation would strip locally elected officials of their decision-making authority, dismiss years of community planning work, and amount to a clear override from Lansing on local voices and voter-backed decisions.
As township leaders, it is essential to stand united and speak out in opposition to this proposal.
The legislation, House Bills 5529-5531 and 5581-5585, would significantly restrict local authority by preempting local decision-making on key zoning issues, including duplexes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), minimum setbacks, lot sizes, and dwelling unit sizes. (A summary of each bill is below).
Citizens and locally elected leaders engage in vigorous debate on matters that impact them every day in a transparent and participatory process. State preemption lacks that same accountability.
Supporters of preemption often point to declining permits, rising home prices, and regulatory costs as justification for statewide mandates. While these pressures are real, they are driven by broader economic forces including the housing crash, rising labor and material costs, high interest rates, and complex market dynamics that go far beyond local zoning. Sweeping mandates oversimplify the problem and ignore the unique needs and circumstances of Michigan’s diverse communities.
MTA remains committed to working with lawmakers to find solutions to provide affordable housing and preserve local authority as communities must balance housing, infrastructure, economic growth, community identity and natural resources.
MTA needs your voices now to share your opposition to this attack on local land use authority and join our efforts to protect local decision-making. Officials can add their signature to our joint letter of opposition—adding your voice to the more than 1,600 local leaders who have already signed. In addition, please contact your state representative and state senator today to ensure residents and locally elected leaders retain decision-making authority on matters that impact their community every day.
Thank you for taking the time to advocate for your community by voicing your opposition. Your engagement is critical to our efforts to retain local decision-making.
Legislative Summary
Sponsored by Rep. Kristian Grant: Prohibits local ordinances from requiring a minimum parcel or lot size greater than 1,500 square feet for detached single-family residence where the parcel is accessible and will be served by public sewer and public water.
The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Aragona, Carrie Rheingans and Stephen Wooden.
Sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Wortz: Prohibits a minimum parcel size greater than 1,500 square feet for detached single-family residence where the parcel is accessible and will be served by public water and public sewer.
The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Aragona, Kristian Grant, Carrie Rheingans and Stephen Wooden.
Sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Neeley: Creates a 60-day decision shot clock after receipt of an application by a local unit of government, even an incomplete application. Permits local units of government to require reasonably necessary studies in reviewing a site plan application but limits when additional information can be required for the same application after initial studies are requested. Limits circumstances of when additional information can be required for the same application after initial approval.
Co-sponsored by Reps. Kristian Grant, and Carrie Rheingans.
Sponsored by Rep. Tom Kunse – Prohibits a minimum area requirement greater than 500 square feet for a dwelling.
Co-sponsored by Reps. Joey Andrews, Joseph Aragona, Noah Arbit, Tyrone Carter, Kimberly Edwards, Carol Glanville, Kristian Grant, Mike Hoadley, Jason Hoskins, Matt Longjohn, Sharon MacDonell, Jasper Martus, Donavan McKinney, Luke Meerman, Jason Morgan, Cynthia Neeley, Amos O’Neal, Carrie Rheingans, Helena Scott, Joseph Tate, Penelope Tsernoglou, Jimmie Wilson Jr., Stephen Wooden, Jennifer Wortz, Mai Xiong
Sponsored by Rep. Kristian Grant – Mandates parking requirements at no more than one space per dwelling unit for multi-family residential use of property. Allows mobile homes in any residential zone.
“Mobile home” means a structure that is transportable in one or more sections, built on a chassis, and designed to be used as a dwelling, with or without a permanent foundation, when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained in the structure.
Co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Aragona, Noah Arbit, Joey Andrews, Tyrone Carter, Kimberly Edwards, Carol Glanville, Mike Hoadley, Jason Hoskins, Tom Kunse, Matthew Longjohn, Sharon MacDonell, Jasper Martus, Luke Meerman, Donavan McKinney, Jason Morgan, Cynthia Neeley, Amos O’Neal, Julie Rogers, Helena Scott, Kathy Schmaltz, Joe Tate, Penelope Tsernoglou, Jimmie Wilson Jr., Jennifer Wortz, Carrie Rheingans, Stephen Wooden and Mai Xiong
Sponsored by Rep. Matthew Longjohn. Mandates setback requirements at 15 feet or less from the front property line and five feet from the sides and rear for dwellings or outbuildings if the local unit of government is located in whole or part within a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) or is located adjacent to a MSA area. This would impact 662 townships in Michigan. A 25-foot setback is allowed only from a wetland, inland lake or stream, or ordinary high water mark of a Great Lake or Lake St. Clair.
- metropolitan statistical area is determined by the decennial census (updated April 10, 2025); there are 16 MSAs in the state
Co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Aragona, Noah Arbit, Tyrone Carter, Kimberly Edwards, Kristian Grant, Carol Glanville, Mike Hoadley, Tom Kunse, Sharon MacDonell, Jasper Martus, Luke Meerman, Donavan McKinney, Jason Morgan, Cynthia Neeley, Amos O’Neal, Carrie Rheingans, Helena Scott, Joe Tate, Penelope Tsernoglou, Jimmie Wilson Jr., Stephen Wooden and Mai Xiong
Sponsored by Rep. Joey Andrews – Creates a statewide definition of “duplex.” Mandates duplexes are a permitted use in any district where single-family residences are allowed and not subject to any procedures different from a single-family residence.
Co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Araonga, Noah Arbit, Tyrone Carter, Kimberly Edwards, Carol Glanville, Kristian Grant, Jason Hoskins, Matthew Longjohn, Sharon MacDonell, Jasper Martus, Luke Meerman, Donavan McKinney, Jason Morgan, Cynthia Neeley, Amos O’Neal, Carrie Rheingans, Kathy Schmaltz, Helena Scott, Joe Tate, Penelope Tsernoglou, Jimmie Wilson Jr., Stephen Wooden, Jennifer Wortz and Mai Xiong
Sponsored by Rep. Luke Meerman – Creates a statewide definition of “accessory dwelling unit” (ADU). Mandates ADUs are permitted by right in residential zoning districts and not subject to a public hearing. ADUs are prohibited from density calculations, additional parking requirements and owner occupancy requirements. Also allows mobile homes in any residential zone.
Co-sponsored by Reps. Joey Andrews, Joe Aragona, Noah Arbit, Tyrone Carter, Kimberly Edwards, Carol Glanville, Kristian Grant, Jason Hoskins, Tom Kunse, Matthew Longjohn, Sharon MacDonell, Jasper Martus, Donavan McKinney, Jason Morgan, Cynthia Neeley, Amos O’Neal, Carrie Rheingans, Kathy Schmaltz, Helena Scott, Joe Tate, Penelope Tsernoglou, Jimmie Wilson Jr., Stephen Wooden, Jennifer Wortz and Mai Xiong