Signed by Governor Doug Ducey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends local government utility regulations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a municipality requiring the issuance of a building permit from denying a permit application based on the utility provider proposed to provide utility service to the project (Sec. 1).

• Requires a municipality or county issuing a building permit to ensure that all applicable permits and associated fees assessed on a building permit applicant contain requirements and amounts that do not exceed the requirements and amounts for use of other utility providers and do not have the effect of restricting a permit applicant’s ability to use the services of a utility provider that is capable and authorized to provide utility service (Secs. 1 & 3).

• Defines “utility service” as water, wastewater, natural gas, including propane gas, or electric service provided to an end-user (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits any code, ordinance, land use regulation or general or specific plan provision or part of a code, ordinance, land use regulation or general or specific plan provision adopted by a municipality or county from prohibiting or having the effect of restricting a person’s or entity’s ability to use the services of a utility provider that is capable and authorized to provide utility service at a person’s or entity’s property (Secs. 2 & 4).

• Prohibits a municipality or county from imposing a fine, penalty, or other requirements that have the effect of restricting a utility provider’s authority to operate or serve customers (Secs. 2 & 4).

• Prohibits a county from denying a permit application based on the utility provider proposed to provide utility service to the project (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends local government utility regulations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a municipality requiring the issuance of a building permit from denying a permit application based on the utility provider proposed to provide utility service to the project (Sec. 1).

• Requires a municipality or county issuing a building permit to ensure that all applicable permits and associated fees assessed on a building permit applicant contain requirements and amounts that do not exceed the requirements and amounts for use of other utility providers and do not have the effect of restricting a permit applicant’s ability to use the services of a utility provider that is capable and authorized to provide utility service (Secs. 1 & 3).

• Defines “utility service” as water, wastewater, natural gas, including propane gas, or electric service provided to an end-user (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits any code, ordinance, land use regulation or general or specific plan provision or part of a code, ordinance, land use regulation or general or specific plan provision adopted by a municipality or county from prohibiting or having the effect of restricting a person’s or entity’s ability to use the services of a utility provider that is capable and authorized to provide utility service at a person’s or entity’s property (Secs. 2 & 4).

• Prohibits a municipality or county from imposing a fine, penalty, or other requirements that have the effect of restricting a utility provider’s authority to operate or serve customers (Secs. 2 & 4).

• Prohibits a county from denying a permit application based on the utility provider proposed to provide utility service to the project (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text