HOUSING – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding starter home subdivisions.

S 1279 prohibits restrictive covenants (like neighborhood rules in homeowner agreements) that block "starter home subdivisions" - defined as new single-family home developments on at least 4-acre lots - starting July 1, 2026. It requires local governments to allow these subdivisions in residential zones and sets specific limits: minimum lot sizes under 1,000 sq ft, small setbacks (15 ft front/rear, 5 ft sides), and density of at least 12 homes per acre. The bill also bans local governments from charging higher fees for these subdivisions compared to standard single-family developments. It does not override safety/environmental laws or affect rules in place before 2026.