HB 5341 Summary

• Requires municipal regulatory board secretaries/clerks to make printed copies of zoning regulations and step-by-step certificate of occupancy procedures (including fees) available to the public at reasonable prices.

• Allows business purchasers to request zoning enforcement officials to conduct a walk-through inspection and provide preliminary notice of applicable regulations to the property or business.

• Mandates zoning officials notify building permit applicants within 14 days of application regarding documents already in the municipality's possession and additional documents needed for approval, with automatic approval if notice is not provided.

• Requires zoning officials to notify applicants in writing within 7 days of approving or denying a building permit application, including a printed copy of appeals procedures for denials.

• Establishes a 14-day appeal period (instead of the standard 30 days) for applicants to appeal denied building permit applications to the zoning board of appeals.

• All provisions effective January 1, 2013.