This bill amends the existing law regarding the notice requirements for amendments to zoning ordinances in West Virginia. It stipulates that before any amendment can be made, the governing body, with input from the planning commission, must ensure that the amendment aligns with the comprehensive plan. If the amendment is inconsistent, it must be justified by significant changes in the area that were not anticipated when the plan was adopted. The bill also modifies the notification process for landowners affected by changes in zoning classifications or density regulations, replacing the previous requirement for certified mail with a more flexible approach.

Under the new provisions, municipalities or counties can use various methods to notify landowners, including regular first-class mail, electronic mail for those who have opted in, public postings on official websites and in public locations, and publication of summaries in local newspapers. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for an affidavit of notice to serve as evidence of compliance with these notification requirements. It also clarifies that failure to provide actual notice will not invalidate the amendment process as long as the municipality or county has substantially complied with the notice requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8A-7-8