Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Committee hears bill to let homeowners rebuild nonconforming houses after catastrophic loss
Summary
Lawmakers heard House Bill 1500, which would allow residential nonconforming structures in counties, cities and townships to be rebuilt after damage exceeding 50 percent, with several qualifications; proponents said it protects homeowners after disasters, while the League of Cities urged local control.
Representative Ben Koppelman, the bill sponsor, told the House Political Subdivisions Committee that House Bill 1500 would allow owners of residential nonconforming structures to repair, replace, maintain, restore or rebuild their homes even if damage exceeds 50 percent of value, subject to time limits, code compliance and other restrictions.
The bill, Koppelman said, “is trying to ensure that changes in zoning ordinances don't result in an individual being homeless,” and that a homeowner who suffers a catastrophic event not be left with a lot that is unusable because new local zoning would not permit rebuilding. He summarized the core provisions: permit application within six months, construction…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
