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SB 985

Land use: zoning and growth management; regulating land development for residential use; temporarily restrict. Amends sec. 201 of 2006 PA 110 (MCL 125.3201).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathan Lindsey

A two-year temporary pause on local governments adopting or enforcing residential land development regulations under the zoning act, while preserving other zoning powers.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
#landuse:zoningandgrowthmanagement
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Bill Summary · SB 985

Summary of SB 985 (2025-2026, Michigan)

Purpose and intent

  • SB 985 amends the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (2006 PA 110) by modifying section 201 to address land use regulation and growth management.
  • The bill appears to expand the existing framework for zoning districts and land development regulation, with a temporary restriction on residential land development regulation (see Section 5).

Key provisions and changes

  1. Core authority for zoning and land development (current baseline, reinforced by amendments)

    • Local units of government may enact zoning ordinances to regulate land development and establish districts within their jurisdiction.
    • Zoning aims to: allocate land use to meet state and local needs (food, fiber, energy, natural resources, housing, recreation, industry, services, etc.); ensure land is located in appropriate relationships; prevent overcrowding and congestion; facilitate transportation, utilities (sewage, water, energy), education, recreation, and other public services; promote public health, safety, and welfare.
    • Regulations should be uniform within each class of land or buildings inside a district, subject to exceptions provided in the act.

  2. Special land management programs

    • Local units may establish districts or regulations for land areas involved in special programs to achieve specific land management objectives and address land use problems.
    • This includes areas prone to flooding or beach erosion.

  3. Expansion of land development controls

    • Local units may adopt land development regulations under the zoning ordinance that designate or limit:
      • Location, height, bulk, number of stories, uses, and size of dwellings, buildings, and structures.
      • Regulation of tents and recreational vehicles (relevant to temporary or mobile structures).

  4. Temporary residential land development restriction (new timing provision)

    • A temporary prohibition period begins on the effective date of the amendatory act and lasts until two years after that date.
    • During this period, a local unit of government shall not adopt or enforce a zoning ordinance under the act that regulates land development for residential use.

Who/what would be affected

  • Local units of government (cities, villages, townships) in Michigan that rely on the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act for zoning and land development regulation.
  • Stakeholders involved in residential development, including developers, homebuyers, and residents, who could be impacted by any current or future residential zoning rules.
  • Entities responsible for land use planning, transportation, utilities, flood/beach erosion management, and related infrastructure planning.
  • The temporary restriction would directly affect activities related to adopting or enforcing residential land development regulations for up to two years from the amendatory act’s effective date.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral:

    • Introduced May 20, 2026 by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey.
    • Referred to the Committee on Local Government.

  • Effective/timing notes:

    • The bill contains a specific temporary prohibition: from the act’s amendatory effective date through two years after that date, local units may not adopt or enforce residential land development regulations under the zoning act.
    • After the two-year window, the bill’s restrictions would presumably lapse unless further action is taken (the text provided does not specify extension or permanence of the provision beyond the two-year period).

Practical considerations and potential impact

  • Regulatory flexibility: The bill reinforces the broad authority of local jurisdictions to regulate land use and establish district-based planning to meet various public needs and manage growth.
  • Public health and infrastructure: Emphasis on coordinating land use with transportation, utilities, schools, recreation, and other services to prevent overburdening infrastructure.
  • Flood/beach erosion concerns: Allows targeted districts or regulations for areas prone to environmental hazards.
  • Short-term residential zoning pause: The two-year moratorium on adopting or enforcing residential land development regulations creates a levied pause for local governments to potentially reassess approaches to residential growth, density, or related zoning practices. This could affect ongoing or planned residential projects during the moratorium period.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing Michigan zoning provisions or outline potential impacts for specific stakeholder groups (cities vs. townships, developers, homeowners).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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