The bill, Substitute House Bill No. 5392, proposes to exempt certain vacant lots from conforming to changes in zoning regulations. Specifically, it amends subsection (b) of section 8-26a of the general statutes, effective October 1, 2024. The bill stipulates that vacant lots shown on a subdivision or resubdivision plan approved and recorded on or before October 1, 2024, will not be required to conform to changes in zoning regulations or district boundaries adopted after the plan's approval or recording. This exemption applies to lots whose recorded chain of title references the plan. Additionally, vacant lots on plans recorded before the adoption of zoning regulations by a municipality are also exempt if they conformed at any time to any zoning regulations that would have applied to them.

The bill further clarifies that for the purposes of this subsection, a lot is deemed vacant until a building permit is issued and a foundation is completed, but not if any structures are subsequently demolished. It also states that a lot is considered improved after a building permit is issued and a foundation is completed. The bill does not alter or affect nonconforming uses or structures as provided in section 8-2. The fiscal impact statement indicates that there is no state impact, but the municipal impact will depend on the future use of the vacant lots. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, and amends section 8-26a(b) of the general statutes.