MT HB427

Permit applicants and construction project owners may request in writing the specific building code sections being used to delay their permit or stop their project, and the Department of Labor and Industry or local building department must respond within 7 business days.

Building departments may require zoning, subdivision, or other approvals to be completed before determining a building application is complete.

Failure to provide the requested code citations within 7 business days triggers a $50 per day penalty payable to the requesting party until the information is provided.

Aggrieved parties may file civil action in district court for compensatory damages related to delays caused by failure to provide the required code citations.

The prevailing party in such civil actions is entitled to reasonable court costs and attorney fees.