Monroe County holds public meetings on code changes, explains Notice to Proceed rules

Monroe County hosted a pair of community meetings on December 8 and December 11 to review proposed revisions to the Land Development Code that are required by recent state legislation known as SB 954. County staff presented draft ordinance language, walked attendees through Notice to Proceed requirements and procedures, and invited public comment as part of an ongoing process to update local regulations.

County planning staff used the sessions to explain how SB 954 will affect development permitting in the county, and to identify areas where local code language must change to comply with the new state mandates. The December 11 meeting focused specifically on Notice to Proceed procedures, which set the conditions under which projects may commence following permitting decisions. Participants included residents, property owners, developers and representatives from the Planning and Environmental Resources office.

The meetings are part of a broader effort by Monroe County to reconcile state law changes with long standing local planning objectives, including environmental protection and community character. Staff emphasized that formal code amendments will follow the community engagement phase, with the county calendar listing the meetings and related materials for public review. Meeting materials and information on how to comment are available through Monroe County Public Notices and the county Planning and Environmental Resources pages.

For local residents the changes could influence permitting timelines and the timing of when construction may begin, which matters for homeowners pursuing renovations, for small builders and for businesses planning new facilities. Aligning local code with state requirements may also change submission requirements for applications and the procedures staff use to issue permits. The county process aims to preserve local discretion where possible while ensuring compliance with state law.

Next steps include continued review of public feedback, drafting formal ordinance language and scheduling public hearings for adoption of the code amendments. Residents interested in reviewing documents or submitting comments should consult the county Public Notices and Planning and Environmental Resources pages for the latest materials and instructions on how to participate in the rule making process.