A Wyoming legislative task force has advanced a bill that could raise the requirements for zoning protest petitions, which some argue have slowed housing development in the state, Gillette News Record reports.
The Regulatory Reduction Task Force unanimously forwarded the bill on Tuesday, marking its third and final meeting to address barriers to local housing projects.
Wyoming, facing a housing shortage, is one of 22 states that allow property owners within a certain distance of a proposed zoning change to file a protest petition. Under current state law, protest petitions require signatures from 20% of landowners in the affected area and a three-fourths vote from the local governing body to take effect. The bill, if passed, would increase the signature requirement to 50% and lower the necessary vote to a simple majority.
Supporters of the changes, like Wyoming Business Alliance President Renny Mackay, say that current protest laws discourage developers and hinder growth. Cody Mayor Matt Hall shared a specific example, citing a zoning protest two years ago that delayed a housing project in his community.
However, some lawmakers voiced concerns. Rep. Clark Stith, R-Rock Springs, cautioned that the 50% threshold might be difficult to achieve, while Sen. Wendy Schuler, R-Evanston, supported the increase, calling the current 20% requirement too low.
In addition to the bill draft, discussions included the possibility of repealing state-level zoning petition laws altogether, allowing local governments to establish their own processes. While this idea gained some support, the task force ultimately tabled two bill drafts related to repealing zoning petitions.
The bill’s next steps will be determined as legislative committees are restructured ahead of the 2025 general session. Task force co-chair Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, said the bill’s final destination within the Legislature is still undecided.
