Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the ability of property owners to protest proposed changes in zoning districts
Sponsored by the House Local Government Committee, Rep. Judd Lawler (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 14, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 15, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 17, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseApril 8, 202675–18
- Skipped: Senate committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 2, 202635–9
- Done: To the GovernorMay 11, 2026
- Done: Signed into lawJune 2, 2026
SF 2378 became law → The same legislation passed as SF 2378, so this version was set aside. Go to SF 2378 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary City councils can add special rules to property changes if the owner agrees to them in writing. If enough neighbors sign a written protest against a change, the council must hold a special vote to pass it. This bill changes the rules for those protests by requiring a majority of owners to sign instead of 20 percent, and it lowers the required council vote from three-fourths to two-thirds.1
Read the official explanation
5, as a part of an ordinance changing land from one zoning district to another zoning district or an ordinance approving a site development plan, a city council may impose conditions on a property owner in addition to existing regulations if the additional conditions have been agreed to in writing by the property owner before the public hearing required or adjournment of the hearing. The conditions must be reasonable and imposed to satisfy public needs that are directly caused by the requested change. If, however, a written protest against a change or repeal is filed with the city clerk and is signed by the owners of 20 percent or more of the area of the lots included in the proposed change or repeal, or by the owners of 20 percent or more of the property that is located within 200 feet of the exterior boundaries of the property for which the change or repeal is proposed, the change or repeal shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of at least three-fourths of all the members of the council. The protest, if filed, must be filed before or at the public hearing. This bill requires the written protest to be signed by a majority of the owners of the lots included in the proposed change or repeal, or by the owners of 20 percent or more of the property that is located within 200 feet of the exterior boundaries of the property. The bill requires two-thirds of all the members of the council to vote favorably for the change to become effective.
Why it matters. City councils and property owners would see changes to how zoning changes or site development plans are approved. If a majority of owners of the affected lots or a certain percentage of owners within 200 feet file a written protest, a change would require a two-thirds favorable vote from the council to pass instead of a three-fourths vote.2
Changed since by amendments H-8296, H-8295; see Amendments.
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 16, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site