Bill > LB1094

This bill, titled the Adopt the By-Right Housing Development Act and the Permitting Approval Timeliness Act, aims to streamline housing development by establishing two main components. The By-Right Housing Development Act mandates that any housing project, including single-family homes, accessory dwelling units (secondary housing units with their own kitchen and bathroom), and multifamily housing units (buildings with two or more residences), that meets existing zoning and land use rules must be approved automatically without requiring special permission from planning or zoning boards. While these developments are still subject to monitoring for compliance, and non-compliance can lead to penalties, this act clarifies that it does not override private agreements like restrictive covenants or homeowners' association rules. The Permitting Approval Timeliness Act, on the other hand, sets a strict deadline for permitting authorities, which are the government bodies responsible for issuing permits, to make a decision on a complete permit application within seventy-five days; if they fail to do so, the permit is automatically granted. Furthermore, if a permit is denied or approved with conditions, the permitting authority must provide specific, legally-based reasons, and applicants have the right to appeal such decisions to the district court, which can order the permit to be granted and award attorney's fees to the successful applicant.

Budget and Finance

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=63063