AZ HB2168

Municipalities must offer applicants the option to obtain building permits through either a municipally directed process or through self-certification upon receipt of a completed permit application.

For self-certification, municipalities must publicly identify the qualified occupation competent to assess regulatory prerequisites, establish insurance or surety bonding requirements no greater than those required for municipal permitting, and issue permits within 48 hours of receiving a sworn statement and proof of insurance.

The sworn statement must be signed by persons in the designated occupation and attest that all regulatory prerequisites have been fulfilled and that the affiant is fully competent and qualified to assess compliance.

Municipalities cannot impose additional requirements on permit applications or self-certification procedures designed to discourage applicants from choosing the self-certification option.

Courts reviewing challenges to municipal permitting processes on grounds that they unreasonably burden the self-certification option must rule on the merits without deference to legislative, administrative, or executive findings.