The proposed bill would update current statutes by allowing municipalities with populations of 30,000 or more to authorize third-party reviews of single-family residential building permit applications if the municipality does not respond within 15 working days. It would require these municipalities to maintain a list of at least three qualified third-party reviewers and ensure that the review time frames do not commence until the applicant has received municipal approval for construction documents. Additionally, the bill stipulates that municipalities cannot request waivers of deadlines and that applicants are responsible for any fees associated with the third-party review. Moreover, the bill modifies existing licensing time frame requirements by mandating that municipalities consider the time frames for third-party reviews when establishing their own. It requires timely notification of potential denials and mandates that municipalities must refund all fees if they fail to act within specified time frames. The bill also eliminates exemptions for certain types of licenses from time frame requirements and allows municipalities to hold the issuance of certificates of occupancy as security for necessary improvements. Overall, these changes aim to streamline the permitting process and enhance accountability in municipal licensing practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-470.01, 9-835, 12-820.01, 12-820.02
Senate Engrossed Version: 9-463.01, 9-470.01, 9-835, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-576, 45-108, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 9-463, 12-820.01, 12-820.02
House Engrossed Version: 9-463.01, 9-470.01, 9-835, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-576, 45-108, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 9-463, 12-820.01, 12-820.02
Chaptered Version: 9-463.01, 9-470.01, 9-835, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-576, 45-108, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 9-463, 12-820.01, 12-820.02