As part of an ongoing effort to address the affordable housing shortage, the Connecticut General Assembly has passed Senate Bill No. 1444 which is designed to facilitate the conversion of certain buildings to residential use. In order to be eligible for the benefits provided for in the bill, a building must be commercial but not industrial in nature. The bill provides the following incentives to help promote the total or partial conversions of such buildings:
- If adopted by a municipality in its zoning regulations, a summary review process that requires a decision from the local land use agency on the application for approval of the conversion within 65 days provided that the commercial building had an average occupancy of less than 50% over the preceding year.
- A prohibition on a property tax revaluation of the converted property for a period of three years from the date that the certificate of occupancy is issued.
- An opportunity for priority funding of the conversion from a newly established state “greyfield revitalization program.”
The adopted bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature. If approved, it will be effective on October 1, 2025.
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