ATLANTA — With home costs rising beyond the reach of many Georgians, builders and developers are pushing for new limits on local control over construction permitting.

State lawmakers heard Tuesday about legislation that would impose strict deadlines on local governments to issue permits. House Bill 812 would also empower the state to override local building requirements that go above the “minimum standard” in Georgia law.

“I’ve heard horror stories of the length of time it takes for contractors to get a building permit,” said Rep. Mike Cheokas, R-Americus, the chief co-sponsor of the legislation. The delays cost builders and developers money, driving up the price of their product, he said. “This is one of the many things we can do to address affordable housing.”

City and county building

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