HB 126 requires state and local agencies to seek input from agricultural advisory boards before condemning or rezoning farmland within voluntary agricultural districts. It mandates that agencies request public hearings on such proposals, giving boards 45 days to review and submit recommendations. Agencies cannot proceed with condemnation or rezoning actions while the board is processing the request, extending the timeline to 120 days after the board submits its findings. The bill directly affects landowners in these districts and agencies making land use decisions, effective October 1, 2025.
SB 136 restores Rutherford County and its municipalities' authority to initiate down-zoning without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. Down-zoning refers to changes that reduce development density (like limiting building height or lot coverage) or restrict permitted land uses (such as banning certain businesses). This bill reverses a prior law (S.L. 2024-57) that had required property owner consent for such changes, returning the process to the pre-December 11, 2024, standard. It directly affects property owners in Rutherford County by changing who controls zoning amendments that reduce land use potential. The bill applies only to Rutherford County and its municipalities and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024.
SB 185 restores Forsyth County and its municipalities' authority to initiate "down-zoning" without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. Down-zoning refers to changing land use rules to allow less dense development, fewer permitted uses, or create nonconforming properties. The bill reverses a prior law (S.L. 2024-57) that mandated owner consent for such changes, allowing local governments to implement these zoning adjustments directly. This applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, for any affected ordinances.
SB 688 amends North Carolina's local government planning and development laws, directly affecting cities and counties by limiting their zoning authority. It prohibits local governments from regulating specific building design elements (like exterior colors, roof styles, or window placement) except in historic districts or for safety code compliance. The bill also bans minimum building size requirements for residential properties, overly large parking space standards (beyond ADA requirements), and unnecessary road design rules. All changes take effect January 1, 2026, making inconsistent local ordinances void.
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.
HB 626, the Housing Choice Act, allows North Carolina municipalities to adopt specific zoning changes to encourage more housing options and qualify for priority water infrastructure funding. Smaller cities (under 100,000 residents) can permit multifamily housing by right in residential zones, waive fees for affordable housing construction, and allow accessory dwelling units. Larger cities (100,000+ residents) must implement minimum density standards, eliminate parking requirements, and permit duplexes/triplexes in single-family zones. Both sizes must preserve existing affordable housing through incentives or funds and adopt zoning that aligns with state housing goals. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to streamline housing development while meeting criteria for state water infrastructure grants.
