An Act to safeguard municipal permitting

This bill amends Massachusetts zoning laws to ensure that building permits remain valid even if local regulations change while a project is underway. It requires that construction or operations under a standard building permit must begin within twelve months and be completed continuously, while special permits and site plan approvals must start within three years. The law also defines when redevelopment projects are considered to have begun and allows phased developments to proceed without continuous construction. These changes directly affect local municipalities and developers by limiting the ability of towns to alter rules after a permit has been issued.