GA HB318

Superior court decisions reviewing local government zoning decisions become directly appealable to the Georgia Supreme Court or Court of Appeals, adding zoning cases to the list of judgments eligible for direct appeal under Code Section 5-6-34

Removes authority for individual administrative officers to exercise zoning powers, limiting quasi-judicial zoning authority to boards or agencies designated by local ordinance

Expands the definition of "zoning decision" to include grants or denials of variance applications and modifications of conditions attached to rezoning or special use permits

Requires local governments to adopt specific standards and criteria for quasi-judicial decision-making (changing from permissive "may" to mandatory "shall"), with notice requirements of 15-45 days before hearings

Effective July 1, 2025, with a grace period through December 31, 2026 during which local government decisions will not be invalidated for failure to implement the new provisions