Committee reviews HB 685 to permit manufactured housing in residential zones; lawmakers discuss timelines and municipal compliance

House Bill 685 would require municipalities to permit manufactured housing in residentially zoned areas across the state; committee members discussed drafting choices and compliance timelines.

Representative Howland walked members through a redline that replaced the phrase “residential zoned areas” with clearer references to lots and districts where residential uses are permitted. She also recommended moving the municipal compliance deadline from 60 days after passage to one year to give towns more time to amend zoning ordinances.

Committee members debated whether the bill should explicitly require municipalities to amend local ordinances (some said leaving the state law to preempt local rules is sufficient) and whether to remove references to federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from the statute. Representative Gibbs favored requiring towns to change their zoning within a year, citing reduced litigation risk if municipalities are given a concrete statutory deadline.

Members noted the bill limits the number of manufactured units allowed by referencing residential zones (so placing multiple manufactured homes on a single-family-zoned lot would remain governed by local density rules). Representative Aaron asked whether the bill would allow trailer parks; the chair clarified the bill’s reference to single-family residential areas would not authorize multiple-unit trailer parks in single-family zones.

Outcome and next steps: The chair said she would draft the committee changes and present the revised bill for the next meeting. No formal vote was taken in the public work session.