SPONSOR: Murphy
This bill requires a political subdivision to grant a building permit within a certain number of days, depending on the type of construction, as provided in the bill.
After an applicant submits an application to a political subdivision, the political subdivision must notify the applicant in writing of any missing information within five business days. If the political subdivision does not provide timely written notice that the applicant has not submitted the properly completed application, the application will be automatically deemed completed and accepted.
A political subdivision must maintain a policy for expedited processing of building permits required by law to be expedited on the political subdivision's website.
If a political subdivision fails to meet a deadline established by this bill, the building permit fee will be reduced by 10% for each business day that the political subdivision fails to meet the deadline, unless the delay is caused by or agreed to in writing by the applicant.
A political subdivision must provide written notice to an applicant stating the specific reasons a permit fails to satisfy state law or local ordinances. The notice will state that the applicant has 10 business days to submit revisions to correct the permit application, and that failure to correct the application within that time will result in a denial of the application. If the applicant submits revisions within 10 days, the political subdivision will have 10 business days to approve or deny the permit. If the political subdivision fails to respond within the 10 days the building permit fee will be reduced by 20% each business day that the political subdivision fails to meet the deadline, unless the delay is caused by or agreed to in writing by the applicant.
The bill also exempts a contractor rebuilding in an area that has been destroyed by a natural disaster resulting in the Governor proclaiming a state of emergency for that area from any permit requirement. This will not, however, be construed to exempt the construction from any other existing state law or local ordinance related to safety requirements for construction.
Statutes affected: