Housing (Land Use)

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.