Halfway through March, many states are in their busy part of their legislative sessions, while some have already completed their work for the year. Housing bills continue to be considered by lawmakers across the United States. This month’s featured highlights include updates from Indiana, Arizona, and Virginia.

Indiana: Prior to the Feb. 27 adjourment, HB 1001 passed both chambers and was signed into law on March 4, 2026. This bill:

• Texpands housing by making single-family homes, duplexes, in-home accessory dwelling units, and certain affordable housing projects permitted uses without a public hearing, while also requiring mixed-use and multifamily housing to be allowed in commercial zones if local governments do not opt out;
• limits local zoning and design controls by capping parking requirements, prohibiting regulation of residential design elements, restricting lot size, density, setback, and bulk standards on certain parcels, and easing elevator requirements for smaller multifamily buildings.;
• constrains local fees and permitting practices, sets deadlines for zoning updates tied to comprehensive plans, and requires annual housing reporting to the state beginning in 2027.

Virginia: Another state with an early adjournment, Virginia’s legislature saw mixed results this session after years of stalled progress:

• H B 1279: This “Yes In God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) bill allows faith-based groups to allow housing on their property. (54-41 House Vote, 23-26 Senate Vote)
• S B 454: The state’s missing middle housing bill allowing more housing near jobs passed the Senate 21-19 on Feb. 5, but died in committee in the House.

Arizona: Progress in Arizona on multiple fronts as two pieces of legisaltion,  SB1431 and SB1787, passed the State Senate in recent weeks and have also cleared their first House committees.

• SB1431: This bill prohibits cities and towns from forcing developers to create homeowners’ associations or include shared features or controlled access elements like gates as conditions of subdivision approval, and it clarifies that municipalities cannot require specific aesthetic or design standards for single-family homes and accessory dwelling units. The bill also prevents municipalities from denying or delaying permits based on prohibited requirements. (Senate Vote: 17-12-1 on March 2)
• SB1787: This bill would codify Sheetz v. El Dorado in state law by requiring individual determinations of all exactions. (Senate Vote: 23-5-2 on Feb. 26)