Georgia House advances bill for small housing units

By Zoe Seiler, Decaturish

ATLANTA — A bill that removes zoning regulations for smaller homes has advanced out of the Georgia House and is in the state Senate for consideration.

House Bill 1166, sponsored by Rep. Tangie Herring, D-Macon, eliminates zoning regulations for homes that are 400 square feet or smaller. Under this legislation, a homeowner could build a secondary unit of up to 400 square feet without going through a zoning decision.

“House Bill 1166 is about families. It allows parents, grandparents and adult children to stay together on the same property when life circumstances hit,” Herring said. “That small space could provide housing for a grandmother who is no longer able to live on her own, an adult getting back on their feet, or a caregiver who needs to live nearby.”

She added that it would create housing options for the workforce and strengthen property rights and economic opportunity.

“Importantly, this bill maintains safeguards,” Herring said. “Local governments will still control building codes, septic systems, floor plan protections and other health and safety regulations. It is limited to one secondary unit per parcel.”

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, said counties across the state are grappling with housing affordability and housing supply.

“Whether you’re a small, medium or large county, we know we need more housing options,” Oliver said. “A group of us have been working on housing options, tenant rights enhancements and other incentives to create more doors, more opportunities for housing options that could be more affordable, like small houses less than 400 square feet.”

HB 1166 passed the House on Crossover Day, March 6, 111–50. Crossover Day marks the deadline by which bills should pass their original chamber to have a good chance at becoming law. HB 1166 is still under consideration, but several other housing bills that were introduced did not pass by March 6.

HB 1145, sponsored by Rep. Miriam Paris, D-Macon, would create a statewide homestead exemption for certain public service employees, like police officers, nurses and teachers.

Oliver sponsored HB 1153, which would allow developers to use the state’s low-income housing tax credit, or LIHTC, to build affordable single-family homes. These homes would be available to individuals earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.

HB 1177 expands the authority of local development authorities to finance or develop affordable housing. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway.

HB 1252, sponsored by Rep. Phil Olaleye, D-Atlanta, would prohibit investors from acquiring single-family homes before Georgia residents.

HB 1171, sponsored by Rep. Spencer Frye, D-Athens, would establish minimum habitability standards consistent with recognized housing standards.

Rep. Saira Draper, D-Atlanta, is the sponsor of HB 1221. The bill would require homeowners’ associations to provide written notice of fines or delinquent fees and to give homeowners a reasonable opportunity to pay before assessing attorney fees and costs.

HB 1017, sponsored by Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, D-Lithonia, would require homes owned by corporate investors to be assessed at 100 percent of their value. Most homes are assessed at 50 percent or less of their value.

House Bills 1145, 1166, 1177, 1221 and 1252 have gained bipartisan support.

“There are many different bills, many different actions in the federal government and the state government to address this issue and I’m hoping for progress in 2026,” Oliver said at a press conference in February.