From the 86th: Building, Construction, and Permitting Bills
HB 852 - Relating to information a municipality may consider in determining the amount of certain building permit and inspection fees.
H.B. 852 prohibits municipalities from using the valuation or cost of a residential dwelling to determine the amount of permit or inspection fees charged. It prevents municipalities from requiring disclosure of the sales price, contract price, or other method for determining or estimating the value or cost of a residential dwelling.
This law change became effective on May 21, 2019 the moment Gov. Abbott signed it into law.
HB 2439 - Relating to certain regulations adopted by governmental entities for the building products, materials, or methods used in the construction of residential or commercial structures.
HB 2439 was primarily advanced by the Texas Association of Builders, but many other advocacy associations joined them, while being opposed by numerous city officials and city lobbyists. The bill addresses the concerns of builders and contractors about overly restrictive local municipal zoning ordinances, building codes, design guidelines, and architectural standards. Those in favor of the bill argued that these overly restrictive and limiting local standards eliminate consumer and builder choice in construction. They also argued that restrictive ordinances, codes, guidelines, and standards create monopolies, increase the cost of construction, and ultimately price thousands of Texans out of the housing market.
This bill essentially says that no city can require anything more or different in terms of methods, codes or materials from the “national model code” applicable to the construction. The bill does make exceptions for historical areas, wind storm areas, and regulation of outdoor lighting within some cities.
This bill was signed into law and become effective on September 1, 2019
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HB 3815 - Relating to a seller's disclosure notice for residential property regarding floodplains, flood pools, floodways, or reservoirs.
HB 3815 includes new flood related disclosures to the statutory seller’s disclosure for the sale of real residential property.
This bill was signed into law and become effective on September 1, 2019.