H.B. 873 - Sustainable Living Research Act

• Establishes a new Sustainable Living Research Act that allows counties with populations under 500,000 to issue permits for sustainable living research sites that are exempt from certain county codes, ordinances, and rules.

• Permits sustainable living research sites of 15 acres or less located in agricultural and rural districts to test innovations including renewable energy, water conservation, food production, recycled materials, and shared living arrangements.

• Requires applicants to submit detailed research descriptions, site plans, environmental assessments, and annual reports; Department of Health must review and determine there are no detrimental environmental impacts before approval.

• Planning departments must adopt implementing rules by October 1, 2017; permits issued for up to 10 years and can be revoked if permittees substantially violate permit conditions after 30-day notice to cure.

• Amends land use law to designate sustainable living research sites as permitted uses in agricultural and rural districts statewide; effective July 1, 2038.