HI HB1013

Establishes an important agricultural lands incentive to facilitate development of farm cluster housing for farmers, farm employees, and their immediate family members on lands designated as important agricultural lands.

Allows landowners or lessees of important agricultural lands to apply for county permits to develop, construct, and maintain farm cluster housing for rent to active farmers and farm employees.

Requires each county to enact ordinances allowing farm cluster housing and providing for priority permit processing, exemption from subdivision requirements, and development of more units per lot than underlying zoning allows.

Establishes conditions for farm cluster housing including minimum 10-acre lot size, occupancy limited to farmers or farm employees, land area capped at lesser of 5% of lot or 10 acres, prohibition on short-term vacation rentals, and meeting all building codes.

Repeals existing Section 205-45.5 requirements for farm dwellings and employee housing on important agricultural lands to eliminate potentially stricter restrictions.