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 they do not respond within 15 working days. It requires municipalities to maintain a list of at least three qualified third-party reviewers and clarifies that the review time frames will not commence until the municipality has approved the necessary construction documents and vertical construction activities. Additionally, the bill mandates that municipalities must refund all fees for applications if they issue multiple requests for corrections limited to previously identified issues. Moreover, the bill modifies existing licensing time frame requirements by ensuring that municipalities consider the time frames for third-party reviews when establishing their own. It prohibits municipalities from denying residential license applications unless they have either considered the application withdrawn or notified the applicant of potential denial within 15 working days. The bill also eliminates exemptions for certain licensing time frame requirements related to residential lot construction and allows municipalities to hold the issuance of certificates of occupancy as security for the installation of required utilities and improvements. Overall, these updates aim to streamline the building permit process and enhance accountability for municipalities.

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