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Bill

LC 877

Require government to provide certain building code text or citation causing delay or stop

2025 Regular Session

Montana bill would require government agencies to cite specific building codes when enforcement actions delay or halt construction projects, improving regulatory transparency.

(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
#buildingsandbuildingregulations #courts(seealso:judgesandjustices;juriesandjurors) #localgovernment(seealso:citysubjects;countysubjects)
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Bill Summary · LC 877

Legislative bill overview

LC 877 would require the Montana government to provide building code text or citations when regulations cause project delays or work stoppages. The bill appears designed to address situations where building officials enforce codes without readily providing the specific regulatory language or references to property owners or contractors.

Why is this important

Building code enforcement disputes can be costly and time-consuming for developers and homeowners. This bill aims to increase transparency and reduce friction in the permit process by ensuring officials cite the exact regulations they're enforcing, potentially reducing disputes and delays in construction projects.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden: Government agencies may argue this creates significant documentation requirements that could slow their review processes or require additional staffing
  • Code complexity: Building codes reference multiple overlapping standards; requiring citation of "all applicable" codes might be technically difficult or create disputes over what must be cited
  • Liability concerns: Officials may hesitate to cite codes if non-citation becomes actionable, potentially incentivizing stricter informal enforcement rather than transparent written decisions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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