Bill > HB2384

This bill aims to prevent local governments, referred to as "political subdivisions" (which include counties, cities, towns, villages, and fire protection districts), from imposing development regulations that could make building or improving property too expensive. Specifically, it restricts counties and municipalities from mandating energy efficiency standards for one- or two-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, apartment buildings, or commercial/industrial buildings that go beyond the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) and the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Additionally, it prevents these local governments from prohibiting buildings with fewer than six stories and a specific type of residential occupancy (Group R-2) from having a single exit, provided certain safety conditions are met, such as having an exterior or interior stairway and limited travel distance to the exit. The bill also establishes a 30-day timeframe for political subdivisions to approve or deny permit, license, or other development-related requests; if no response is given within this period, the request is automatically approved, and no new requirements can be added. If a request is denied, the political subdivision must provide written reasons, including specific details if the denial is based on the work of a design professional or a violation of a code provision. Furthermore, if a request is denied as incomplete, the political subdivision must clearly state the reasons, and any subsequent denial cannot introduce new, unrelated reasons. Finally, the bill addresses the availability of municipal ordinances, requiring them to be accessible online for free public inspection or, if not, to have at least three physical copies available for public review.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2384&year=2026&code=R