HB 204 restores local government authority to initiate down-zoning in Cabarrus County and its municipalities by removing the requirement for all affected property owners' written consent. The bill amends state law to allow county or municipal governments to change zoning (e.g., reducing density or permitted building types) without unanimous owner approval, as long as the change is government-initiated. This directly affects property owners in Cabarrus County whose land may be subject to zoning changes that limit development potential. The law applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, meaning existing down-zoning actions taken after that date under the previous rule would be invalid.
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.
SB 419 restores local governments' authority to down-zone (reduce density) in their communities by repealing a previous restriction (Section 3K.1 of S.L. 2024-57). This directly affects cities and counties, allowing them to adopt zoning changes that limit building density or height, such as converting high-density zones to lower-density uses. The bill applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, meaning any zoning ordinances affected by the repealed law are treated as valid from that date. It does not create new zoning rules but returns discretion to local governments that was previously restricted.
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Zoning
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Local Government
HB 170 restores local government authority to initiate down-zoning in Union County and its municipalities without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. The bill specifically targets zoning changes that reduce development density or limit permitted land uses (e.g., making areas less dense or restricting building types). It applies only to Union County and its municipalities, with retroactive effect to December 11, 2024, meaning existing down-zoning actions since that date are treated as if they followed the pre-2024-57 rules. This changes the current requirement (from S.L. 2024-57) that mandated owner consent for all down-zoning amendments.
HB 209 authorizes Durham Public Schools and Durham County to create affordable rental housing for teachers, police officers, first responders, and other Durham County employees. The bill allows these entities to partner using their existing land to build housing, with at least 75% of units reserved specifically for Durham Public Schools teachers. Rent will be set at reasonable, below-market rates, and all housing must comply with standard building and safety codes. The bill is currently pending in committee and does not change existing zoning or safety regulations for the housing units.
SB 134 allows North Carolina local governments to require new residential developments to include affordable housing units through inclusionary zoning policies. It directly affects local zoning authorities, developers building new housing, and low-to-moderate income residents who would benefit from increased affordable housing options. The bill also appropriates $10 million in recurring funds to the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency for its Workforce Housing Loan Program starting in 2025. These provisions aim to supplement affordable housing availability by giving local governments tools to mandate inclusionary requirements and providing dedicated funding for housing loans. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
This bill revises Winston-Salem and Forsyth County zoning laws to clarify the joint City-County Planning Board's authority over zoning changes and promote affordable housing. It allows the city to offer density bonuses - permitting more housing units than normally allowed - to developers who build or donate land for low/moderate-income housing. The bill also establishes two zoning district types: "general use" districts (permitting multiple land uses without specifying the intended use) and "special use" districts (requiring developers to specify a single use, like a park or apartment building, with conditions set by the City Council). These changes directly affect property owners, developers, and residents in Winston-Salem and the three-mile area surrounding the city, where zoning regulations now extend.
SB 291 limits cities' ability to regulate short-term rentals (like Airbnb) by prohibiting ordinances that ban them, restrict rental nights, require owner occupancy, or classify them as commercial use. Cities may still require a $25 permit for short-term rentals, with revocation only after five health/safety violations (after allowing appeal), and must enforce occupancy limits (two adults per bedroom), parking plans, residential zoning compliance, and posting of local noise/waste/parking rules. The bill directly affects property owners using short-term rentals and cities seeking to regulate them, establishing state-level uniformity instead of local rules. Key provisions allow cities to enforce basic safety and zoning standards but block broader restrictions on how owners operate rentals.
SB 495 requires North Carolina local governments to permit at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family residential lot, defined as a smaller secondary home (under 800 sq ft) attached or detached from the main house. It prohibits local governments from banning long-term rentals of ADUs, imposing extra parking requirements, charging higher fees than standard permits, or restricting utility connections. Local governments must adopt implementing regulations by January 1, 2027, or ADUs will be allowed without restrictions. The bill excludes historic districts, National Historic Landmarks, and properties with private covenants restricting dwelling types.
SB 499, "Allow Housing Near Jobs," requires North Carolina local governments to automatically permit residential development - including converting existing commercial buildings - anywhere areas are currently zoned for commercial, office, or retail use. It eliminates the need for special permits or zoning amendments in these zones, directly affecting developers and local planning departments. The bill does not override building or fire codes but takes effect October 1, 2025, aiming to increase housing options near job centers.
