You had to ask! :wink: Here's what the GLoTX has to say about it:
CHAPTER 1 – TITLE II
LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION
Art. 180. (220). Petition to Grand Master.
The petition for a dispensation for a new Lodge shall be addressed to the Grand Master. He alone has the power to grant same, and may revoke it at his pleasure.
Art. 181. (221). In County Without a Lodge.
A petition for a dispensation for a new Lodge to be located in a County in which there is no Lodge must be signed by not less than seven (7) known Master Masons, who reside in said County.
Art. 182. (222). In County Having Lodge.
A petition for dispensation for a new Lodge to be located in a county within which one or more Lodges have been organized and still exist, shall only be granted upon the petition of not less than twenty Master Masons, if said Lodge is to be located in a town or city of less than ten thousand inhabitants, or in the rural districts. In cities of ten thousand inhabitants or more the petition for dispensation must be signed by not less than fifty Master Masons.
Art. 183. (223). Approval of Other Lodges Required.
Approval of petition for dispensation for a new Lodge must be obtained under the procedure provided in Art. 185 from other Lodge or Lodges located with reference to the new Lodge, as follows:
If the location of the new Lodge is:
1. Not within the concurrent jurisdiction of another Lodge, he approval must be by the Lodge located nearest thereto by airline distance.
2. Within the concurrent jurisdiction of one or two Lodges, the approval must be by each of such Lodges.
3. Within the concurrent jurisdiction of three or more Lodges, the approval must be by a majority of such Lodges.
Art. 184. (224). Petitioners and Their Credentials.
All petitions for dispensations for new Lodges shall be actually signed by each of the petitioners in person, and his certificate of dimission, or of good standing, must be attached thereto except in cases otherwise provided. Should a dispensation be issued all the signers become members of the new Lodge.
Art. 185. (225). Approval of Other Lodges: How Obtained.
The petition for dispensation for a new Lodge must be submitted to the Lodge or Lodges required under Art. 183 at a stated meeting for its consideration, and must be voted on at a subsequent stated meeting. A favorable vote of two-thirds of the members present is necessary for its approval, and the number of the votes for and against the motion to approve must be set forth in the certificate of recommendation, and recorded in the minutes of the Lodge.
Art. 186. (226). Petitioners Cannot Vote. In voting upon a request for a recommendation of a petition for a dispensation for a new Lodge, those who signed the petition shall not vote thereon.
Art. 187. (227). Proficiency of Officers.
In recommending a petition for a new Lodge by dispensation, the Lodge shall submit to the Grand Secretary a properly executed Form 16 as its avouchment that the Brethren named for Master and Wardens are qualified collectively to confer the first three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, in due and ancient form; and that the Dimits and Certificates of Good Standing of all petitioners are attached to the petition; or that the absence of the same has been satisfactorily accounted for. Officers of the new Lodge must be petitioners.
Art. 188. (228). Grand Master Receives Fee and Issues Dispensation.
Every dispensation for a new Lodge shall be signed and sealed by the Grand Master, but before doing so he shall receive a fee of twenty-five dollars therefor, which shall immediately be transmitted to the Grand Secretary.
Art. 189. (229). Conditions Pertaining to Dispensation.
The dispensation for a new Lodge shall be issued subject to the condition that such Lodge shall make its returns of work, contributions and dues; and shall petition for a Charter at the next Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge; and if a Charter be refused by this Grand Lodge, the dispensation shall terminate and the Lodge be immediately dissolved unless the Lodge be continued under dispensation by action of the Grand Lodge. If charter is granted, the Lodge cannot operate until it is constituted, but its territorial and personal jurisdiction, as it existed under dispensation is preserved pending its constitution.
Art. 191. (231). Cannot Operate Until Organized.
A new Lodge under Dispensation cannot transact any business or receive petitions for degrees or affiliation until it is regularly organized and set to work by the Grand Master or his duly authorized representative.
Art. 192. (232). Cannot Elect Officers.
Lodges under dispensation cannot elect officers, but may recommend brethren for such officers to the Grand Lodge when petitioning for a Charter. The Grand Lodge shall name all elective officers of a newly chartered Lodge.
Art. 193. (233). Officers Not Installed: Cannot Vote in Grand Lodge.
The officers of Lodges under dispensation shall not be installed; and such Lodges are not entitled to representation nor to vote in the Grand Lodge.
Art. 194. (234). By-Laws.
Every Lodge under dispensation shall use the by-laws approved by this Grand Lodge and printed in Form No. 23 of these laws until its own by-laws are approved.
Art. 202. (241). Who May Apply.
A Lodge operating under dispensation, or members of a chartered Lodge whose membership has become too numerous for work with convenience; or a group of dimitted or non-affiliated Masons, may petition this Grand Lodge for a Warrant or Charter to form a new Lodge. Every member of a Lodge so petitioning must first pay all accrued dues to his Lodge and notify it in writing of his intention to petition for a Charter. If Charter is granted, the Lodge cannot operate until it is constituted, but its territorial and personal jurisdiction, as it existed under dispensation is preserved pending its constitution.
Art. 203. (242). Petition For Charter of New Lodge: By Members of Existing Lodge.
When the members of an existing Lodge petition for a charter for a new Lodge, such petition must be signed by each petitioner himself and must state the causes which make it expedient for a new Lodge to be formed, and must contain the names of the proposed Worshipful Master and Wardens. It must be presented to the Lodge of which they are members at a stated meeting and be considered at a subsequent stated meeting. If said Lodge approves the petition it must vouch for the causes stated and for the qualifications of the brethren named for Worshipful Master and Wardens. If said Lodge does not approve the petition, it must state clearly and specifically its reasons for its disapproval. The action of the Lodge must be certified by the Secretary under the seal of the Lodge and be attached to the petition.
NOTE: Every Lodge Chartered by the Grand Lodge is a Corporation (body politic) under the laws of the State, having the right to own property, contract, sue and be sued and all other rights of corporations created under the enabling statutes which are set forth in Division I. No Lodge has the power to obtain a separate charter, and any attempt to do so is illegal and void. A Lodge Under Dispensation is not a corporation and can not incorporate. See also Art. 28.
Art. 204. (243). Petition for Charter of New Lodge: Who Else May Sign Petition.
A petition for a new Lodge may be signed by members of an existing Lodge and may be signed also by any dimitted or nonaffiliated Mason who may be invited to join in such petition, under the same rules and regulations as provided for petitions for a charter by dimitted or nonaffiliated Masons.
Art. 205. (244). Petition for Charter of New Lodge: By Dimitted and Non-Affiliated Masons.
Dimitted or nonaffiliated Masons, domiciled in this jurisdiction may petition the Grand Lodge for a charter for a new Lodge, without having first worked under a dispensation. Such petition shall be personally signed by each applicant, and his dimit attached thereto, or its absence accounted for to the satisfaction of the Grand Lodge. The petition must be referred to the nearest Lodge by air line, for approval and recommendation. The said petition shall contain the provisions, and be subject to the procedure, in so far as same may be applicable, provided in Articles 203, 204, 206 and 207. Such petition shall be governed by the provisions of Arts. 181 and 182 as regards the number of Master Masons whose signature are required.
Art. 206. (245). Petition Sent to Grand Secretary.
A petition for a charter for a new Lodge, together with a properly executed Form No. 16 attesting to the action thereon of Lodges which approve same, must be sent to the Grand Secretary not later than September 15 in order to be submitted to the Grand Lodge at its next Annual Communication. (Revised 1992)
Art. 207. (246). Approval of Other Lodges.
A petition for Charter must be submitted to other Lodge or Lodges for approval as provided in Arts. 183 and 185 for dispensation petitions.
Art. 208. (247). Disapproved Petition: Sent to Grand Lodge.
When the Lodge or Lodges, whose duty it is to act, disapproves the petition for a Charter, the petition may be presented to the Grand Lodge, notwithstanding, for its consideration and action thereon.
Bet you thought there'd be a simple answer to your question, huh? :lol: