CS for SB 902 Summary

• Counties and municipalities may send written notice of permit expiration at least 30 days before expiration to the property owner and contractor, via email or U.S. Postal Service.

• Counties and municipalities may charge only one search fee, commensurate with research and time costs, for identifying building permits for each unit or subunit assigned to a particular tax parcel identification number.

• Property owners may close an expired building permit by hiring a licensed contractor or assuming the owner-builder role, and a new contractor hired to close a permit is not liable for defects in work performed by the original contractor.

• A local enforcement agency may close a permit 6 years after issuance if no apparent safety hazards exist and may not penalize new property owners or contractors solely because a previous owner's permit was not closed.

• Owner-builders may complete building permits where the original contractor substantially completed the project for residential units, townhomes, and accessory structures without requiring 1-year occupancy after completion.