SECTION 1. Notwithstanding chapter 164 of the General Laws, section 13 of chapter

142 of the General Laws, the State Building Code, or any other general or special law or regulation to the contrary, the town of Concord is hereby authorized to adopt and further amend general or zoning by-laws that restrict new construction projects that do not qualify as fossil-fuel-free, as defined in section 3 of this act.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 7 of chapter 40A of the General Laws, or any other general or special law or regulation to the contrary, the Building Inspector of the town of Concord, or any designee thereof, shall be authorized to enforce restrictions on new construction that do not qualify as fossil-fuel-free, as defined in Section 3 of this act, including through the withholding of building permits.

SECTION 3. As used in this act, the term “fossil-fuel-free” shall refer to construction that results in an entire building or an entire condominium unit that does not utilize coal, oil, natural gas other fuel hydrocarbons (including synthetic equivalents), or other fossil fuels in support of its operation.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage.  Any bylaw previously approved by the Concord Town Meeting consistent with Sections 1 through 3 of this act, including, without limitation,  the bylaw adopted by the 2021 Concord Annual Town Meeting by affirmative vote on Article 31, is hereby ratified. 

SECTION 5. If any provision or section of this act is invalidated, the remainder shall survive in full force and effect.