VETS-TINY HOMES-EV EXEMPTION

Session: 104th General Assembly
Year: 2025
Bill #: SB0039
Category: Housing
Position: No position
Mandate? Yes
Revenue Loss? No
Authority Preemption? Yes

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Summary as Introduced

Amends the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Exempts any tiny home for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing, if that tiny home is constructed by a specified nonprofit organization that exclusively funds and administers tiny homes for veterans. Provides that every county and municipality that has the power to issue building permits and otherwise control the construction of buildings shall require by ordinance that an applicant seeking a building permit to construct tiny homes for at-risk veterans must include with the permit application a completed and signed affidavit stating that all buildings constructed under the permit are designated for the exclusive use of qualifying veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing. Prohibits a county or municipality, including a home rule unit, from adopting any building code or ordinance that requires EV-capable parking spaces for tiny homes constructed for the purpose of providing affordable housing for at-risk veterans under the provisions. Effective immediately.

Staff Analysis

SB 39 proposes amendments to the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. The bill specifically:

  • Exempts any tiny home built for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness from requirements to include electric vehicle (EV) charging-capable parking spaces, provided the home is constructed by a designated nonprofit organization that exclusively serves veterans.
  • Requires counties and municipalities with authority over building permits to mandate that applicants for such tiny home projects submit an affidavit confirming the homes are exclusively for qualifying veterans in need of secure, long-term affordable housing.
  • Prohibits local governments, including home rule units, from adopting building codes or ordinances that require EV-capable parking spaces for these veteran-focused tiny homes.
  • The bill is intended to take effect immediately upon passage.
Policy Impact

Targeted Exemption: The bill narrows its exemption to tiny homes for at-risk veterans, aiming to reduce construction barriers and costs for nonprofit organizations addressing veteran homelessness.

Local Government Limits: By prohibiting local EV parking mandates for these projects, SB 39 seeks to streamline approval and construction of veteran housing, prioritizing urgent shelter needs over future EV infrastructure.

Affidavit Requirement: The affidavit provision is designed to ensure that only qualifying projects receive the exemption, adding a layer of accountability.

County Impact

Prohibition on Local EV Parking Mandates: SB 39 prohibits counties (including home rule units) from adopting or enforcing any building code or ordinance that requires electric vehicle (EV)-capable parking spaces for tiny homes built specifically for at-risk veterans by certain nonprofit organizations.

Permit Process Change: Counties that issue building permits for these tiny home projects must require applicants to submit an affidavit confirming that the homes are exclusively for qualifying veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Limitation of Local Authority: This bill restricts counties’ ability to impose additional requirements related to EV infrastructure on these specific housing projects, effectively overriding any existing or future local ordinances in this area.

Summary Table

County Responsibility Impact of SB 39
Building code/ordinance power Cannot require EV-capable parking for these projects
Permit application requirements Must collect affidavits for qualifying projects
Home rule authority Preempted by state law for these housing projects


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