HB 5474 Summary

• Requires municipalities to annually report new dwelling units permitted and demolished to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, with penalties for non-compliance including loss of discretionary state funding.

• Allows conversion of vacant nursing homes to multifamily housing through summary review (without public hearing or variance) if conditions are met, with decisions required within 65 days.

• Permits municipalities to license and regulate short-term rental properties through local ordinance, and enables adoption of zoning regulations allowing middle housing (duplexes, triplexes, townhouses) as-of-right development.

• Establishes rent increase notice requirement of 45 days before increase takes effect for dwelling units, with tenant non-response not constituting agreement to the increase.

• Creates Housing Environmental Improvement Revolving Loan and Grant Fund with $125 million in bond authority to finance energy efficiency retrofits and health/safety improvements for multifamily residences in environmental justice communities and low-income areas.