AN ACT CONCERNING THE ENFORCEMENT OF ZONING REGULATIONS.
HB 5391 revises zoning enforcement rules by replacing Section 8-12 of the general statutes, effective October 1, 2026. It clarifies that municipalities with zoning authority under special acts can impose fines for violations, ranging from $10-$100 per day for non-wilful violations to $100-$250 per day (or up to 30 days in jail) for wilful violations. Property owners, tenants, contractors, and others violating zoning rules face these penalties, with additional civil fines up to $2,500 for ignoring cease-and-desist orders. The bill standardizes enforcement procedures and clarifies court jurisdiction for related cases.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 26, 2026
Signed May 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Raised Bill
→
PD Joint Favorable Substitute
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with significant substantive changes to enforcement powers and penalty structures. The most important change is the addition of authority for officials to issue written orders to remedy violations and, in cases involving land grading, to issue immediate cease and desist orders. Additionally, the penalties for violations were expanded to include civil fines up to $2,500 for non-compliance with specific orders, alongside existing criminal fines.
Scope change
The scope of enforcement was broadened to include new administrative remedies (remedying orders and cease and desist orders) and expanded the types of violations subject to civil penalties.
ENFORCEMENT
Officials are now authorized to issue written orders requiring the remedying of violations found during inspections.
Officials can issue immediate cease and desist orders specifically when violations involve grading of land, soil erosion, or sediment control.
A new civil penalty of up to $2,500 was added for failing to comply with specific administrative orders or continuing to violate specified regulations.
REQUIREMENT
The text was updated to apply penalties to violations of 'bylaws, ordinances, rules or regulations' rather than just ordinances, rules, or regulations.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 30, 2026 · House Apr 9, 2026
How they voted
36–0
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 30, 2026
D
Democratic25
100% Yea
R
Republican11
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
2
May 7, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
SENATE PASSED
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Planning and Development
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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