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Committee hears broad opposition to bill restricting local land‑use rules; measure not seconded
Summary
Lawmakers and local officials debated a bill that would limit local building permit restrictions, cap permit fees, ban minimum lot sizes above 7,000 sq ft and restrict natural‑gas bans; counties and municipal associations urged local control and the sponsor’s motion to advance the bill received no second.
The committee considered 25LSO0017, a draft that would limit municipalities and counties from imposing certain land‑use rules. Josh Anderson of LSO summarized the bill’s central features: prohibiting governing bodies from restricting who may apply for a building permit; capping building‑permit fees at reasonably anticipated administrative costs; preventing minimum lot sizes greater than 7,000 square feet; banning requirements for single‑family homes to have garages or parking for more than two vehicles; and prohibiting local restrictions on residential natural gas except as necessary for health, safety and welfare.
County and municipal representatives pushed back. Jeremiah Reaman (Wyoming County Commissioners Association) said county statutes passed in 2021 already address limits on prohibiting connection to utilities and described legitimate county reasons for minimum lot sizes such as sewage/water constraints and groundwater protection. Bob McLaren (Wyoming Association of Municipalities) said the bill would undermine home‑rule authority and impose a one‑size‑fits‑all planning approach across 99 cities and towns.
City officials urged caution about preemption but described active local reforms to increase housing supply: Carter Napier (Casper) listed zoning tools (smaller lot sizes in dense zones, twin homes, adjusting setbacks) and Patrick Collins (Cheyenne) described removing minimum lot sizes in many districts and approving small‑lot cottage developments to foster affordability.
Industry testimony noted statutory overlap. David Bush (Black Hills Energy) requested striking natural‑gas provisions as redundant with 2021 statutes (Senate File 152 / cited statutes). The committee did not second a motion to advance 25LSO0017 and the bill did not move forward.
What happens next: The bill was not advanced from committee at this meeting; sponsors may rework statutory language or bring targeted amendments in future sessions.
