Bill > SB611

This bill, known as the "Georgia Landowners Protection Act," aims to limit the duration and frequency of temporary moratoria, which are temporary suspensions of zoning decisions or permit approvals imposed by local governments. Specifically, it establishes that such moratoria cannot exceed 90 days and cannot be reimposed within 365 days of a previous one of the same type. Local governments must also provide at least 45 days of public notice before enacting a moratorium, including the reasons and supporting evidence, and this notice must be published in the county's legal newspaper and on the government's website. However, these limitations do not apply to moratoria enacted in response to declared states of emergency, natural disasters, or imminent threats to public health or safety. Furthermore, the bill waives sovereign immunity for local governments, meaning they can be sued for damages if a moratorium extends beyond 90 days and causes a property owner to lose value. Property owners who suffer such losses can recover damages, including lost development value, carrying costs like financing and maintenance, and increased property taxes, and may also be awarded attorney's fees and court costs.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73752