University & College Land Zoning Authority

Current understanding

Under Michigan’s Zoning Enabling Act (2006 PA 110), local governments have historically had limited authority to apply zoning ordinances to land owned by colleges and universities. HB6120 (introduced) would amend MCL 125.3201 to allow local zoning ordinances to regulate the development of college- or university-owned land, shifting some land-use control from higher education institutions to municipalities.

Evidence log

• 2026-05-21 — Elections: primary; nomination process for secretary of state and attorney general; modify, and provide for gubernatorial appointment of regents, trustees, or board of governors for universities. Amends sec. 21, art. V & sec. 5, art. VIII of the state constitution.: A separate joint resolution amending the same Article VIII, Section 5 would replace elected university regents/trustees/board governors with gubernatorial appointees — a distinct governance change to the same constitutional provision being targeted by the zoning-exemption proposals. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-06-23 — Higher education: state universities; exemption from local control, local input, and local zoning laws; eliminate. Amends sec. 5, art. VIII of the state constitution.: HJRX (introduced) proposes a constitutional amendment to Article VIII, Section 5 eliminating state universities’ exemption from local control, local input, and local zoning laws — a structural counterpart to HB6120’s statutory zoning changes. (novelty: 4)
• 2026-06-23 — Higher education: state universities; authority to purchase land; modify. Amends sec. 5 of 1851 PA 151 (MCL 390.5). TIE BAR WITH: HJR X’26: HB6121 (introduced) amends sec. 5 of 1851 PA 151 (MCL 390.5) to modify state universities’ authority to purchase land; tie-barred with HJR X’26, complementing HB6120’s zoning changes. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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