Housing

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 828: Restore Down-Zoning Auth/Various Counties.

This bill restores the ability for Harnett, Lee, and Sampson counties in North Carolina to propose down-zoning changes without needing permission from every property owner affected. It defines down-zoning as actions that reduce land density, limit permitted land uses, or create nonconformities outside residential areas. Under this law, local governments can initiate these zoning changes independently, whereas previously such moves required written consent from all impacted owners. The legislation applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, allowing these counties to proceed with down-zoning initiatives that were paused by earlier state restrictions.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts down-zoning, which limits housing density and development, thereby reducing potential affordable housing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 833: Restore Down-Zoning Char/Meck and Others.

This bill restores the power of local governments in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, and the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville to initiate down-zoning changes. It defines down-zoning as reducing land density, limiting permitted land uses, or creating nonconformities in non-residential areas. Under the new rules, these local governments can proceed with down-zoning without needing written consent from every affected property owner, reversing a previous requirement that blocked such initiatives. The law applies immediately and retroactively to December 11, 2024, allowing affected ordinances to be treated as if they were in place before that date.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill enables down-zoning, which reduces land density and limits housing development, directly restricting the supply of affordable housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning Tags Local Government

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died · North Carolina · House Jun 16, 2026

HB 1119: Annexation of Present-Use Value Land/School Capacity.

This bill requires cities in Iredell County to obtain approval from the Board of County Commissioners before annexing specific agricultural, forest, or horticultural lands that are not currently within the city's planning jurisdiction. The new rule applies to properties enrolled in present-use value taxation within the last three years and mandates that the county planning department first confirm whether zoning these areas for residential use would exceed the county's current public school capacity by more than 100%. If the annexation would strain school capacity, the county commissioners must approve the deal, and the city council can only proceed if it agrees to pay the county enough money to restore school capacity to compliance levels. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and only applies to annexation petitions received on or after that date.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts annexation of agricultural land for residential use, limiting potential housing development and supply.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 807: Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Woodfin.

This bill restores the Town of Woodfin's ability to start down-zoning projects without needing permission from every property owner involved. It defines down-zoning as actions that reduce land density, limit allowed uses, or create non-conforming structures, and requires local government initiation for such changes. The law applies only to Woodfin and works backward to cover zoning decisions made on or after December 11, 2024.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts down-zoning, which limits housing development density and reduces potential affordable housing supply.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning

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signed · North Carolina · House May 21, 2026

HB 1089: Constitutional Amendment Property Tax Levy Limit.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the North Carolina legislature to establish a statewide limit on how much local property tax levies can increase each year. The measure also mandates that any local government wanting to raise property taxes beyond this limit must first obtain approval from a majority of voters in that specific area. Because this change alters the state constitution, it will not take effect immediately but will instead be placed on the November 3, 2026, ballot for voters to decide whether to adopt. If approved by the public, the amendment would legally bind the General Assembly to create the specific tax increase caps mentioned in the text.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes a statewide limit on property tax increases, restricting local governments' ability to raise revenue for budgets and services.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingLimiting property tax increases restricts local funding for affordable housing development and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 1075: Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Military Counties.

This bill restores the ability of local governments in Craven, Carteret, Onslow, Jones, and Lenoir counties to propose down-zoning changes without needing permission from every property owner. Previously, a law required unanimous consent from all affected landowners to reduce development density or limit permitted uses, but this legislation removes that requirement for these specific military host counties. The change applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, meaning any down-zoning efforts initiated after that date can proceed under the new rules.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill removes unanimous consent requirement for down-zoning, which limits housing development density and restricts housing supply in affected counties.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill facilitates down-zoning in military host counties to accommodate military bases, indirectly supporting veteran housing and community stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Property Development Zoning

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in committee · North Carolina · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 68: Restore Down-Zoning Authority/Granville and Vance.

HB 68 restores local government authority to initiate down-zoning in Granville and Vance Counties without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. It amends state law to clarify that down-zoning (reducing development density or permitted land uses) can be initiated by local governments, overriding a previous requirement for unanimous owner consent. This change applies specifically to Granville and Vance Counties and their municipalities, and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024, making any affected ordinances valid as if they had always been enforceable. The bill directly affects property owners in these counties and local governments' zoning planning powers.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestores local authority to down-zone, reducing development density and limiting new housing supply, directly restricting housing development as per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 281: Restore Down-Zoning/Multiple Municipalities.

HB 281 restores local government authority to initiate "down-zoning" in six North Carolina municipalities (Morehead City, Beaufort, Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, and Newport) without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. The bill amends state law to clarify that down-zoning - defined as reducing development density, limiting permitted land uses, or creating nonconforming features - can be enacted by a municipality itself. This reverses a prior change (S.L. 2024-57) that required property owner consent, making the new rule retroactive to December 11, 2024. The law directly affects property owners and developers in these specific towns by changing how zoning changes can be implemented.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingDown-zoning reduces housing density and development potential, restricting new housing supply and likely increasing costs, aligning with 'oppose' indicators for housing development limits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Property Development Zoning

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signed · North Carolina · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 126: Revise Voluntary Agricultural District Laws.

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.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill delays rezoning farmland for housing by requiring agricultural board reviews, directly limiting housing development on agricultural land.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 65: Restore Down-Zoning/Buncombe Co.

SB 65 restores Buncombe County's authority to initiate down-zoning without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. This bill specifically applies to Buncombe County and its municipalities, reversing a previous law (S.L. 2024-57) that mandated such consent. The key change allows local governments to adjust zoning maps or regulations to reduce development density, limit permitted land uses, or create nonconformities without property owner approval. The law applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, restoring pre-existing zoning authority for affected ordinances.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestores authority to down-zone without owner consent, limiting housing density and development85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Property Development Zoning

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