Senate Bill No. 368 amends R.S. 33:4882 to establish protections for nonconforming use status of buildings and land in municipalities and parishes. The bill stipulates that governing authorities cannot allow or cause any building or land to lose its nonconforming use status due to temporary vacancy or cessation of normal operations during a specified time period, which has been updated to reflect the dates from March 11, 2020, to March 16, 2022. This change is particularly relevant for properties affected by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.

Additionally, the bill allows parishes with populations exceeding 350,000 to reduce the specified time period for nonconforming use protections through an ordinance. This legislative change aims to provide greater stability and assurance for property owners in the wake of disruptions caused by natural disasters, ensuring that their properties retain their nonconforming status despite temporary operational interruptions.

Statutes affected:
SB368 Original: 33:4882(A)
SB368 Engrossed: 33:4882(A)
SB368 Reengrossed:
SB368 Enrolled:
SB368 Act 699: