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SB 137 North Carolina Senate · 2025-2026 Session

Restore Down-Zoning/Farmland Preservation.

SB 137 requires written consent from all property owners for any zoning change that reduces development density or permitted land uses (down-zoning), except when local governments initiate down-zoning specifically for farmland preservation. It directly affects property owners in Henderson County and specific towns within the county (Fletcher, Mills River, Flat Rock, Laurel Park, and Saluda) by giving them veto power over most down-zoning proposals. The key mechanism is the consent requirement, with the exception allowing local governments to protect farmland without owner approval. This bill applies retroactively to January 31, 2025, and modifies existing zoning law to prioritize property owner consent in zoning decisions.
Issues: ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly preserves farmland via down-zoning consent exception, directly supporting conservation and environmental protection as a core subject.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents down-zoning (reducing density) except for farmland, maintaining development potential in housing areas, directly supporting housing density and development.95% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 24, 2025 Last action Feb 25, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Filed → Edition 1 · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill underwent a transition from its initial filing status to its first official edition, with changes primarily focused on formatting, versioning, and procedural metadata rather than substantive policy content. The document now includes proper session identification, bill numbering, and a specific referral to the Senate Rules and Operations committee with a dated reference.
TECHNICAL

Added proper session identification and bill numbering (S. 137) with page numbering for official legislative record.

Added specific committee referral information directing the bill to Rules and Operations of the Senate with a February 25, 2025 date.

Removed internal document tracking numbers (DRS15060-MQ-26) and replaced with official version identifier (S137-v-1).

Adjusted header formatting to align with standard legislative document conventions for the North Carolina General Assembly.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Introduced
Filed
upper
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.