Bill > H195

This bill modifies zoning regulations specifically for Chatham County and its municipalities by restoring local governments' authority to initiate down-zoning amendments without requiring written consent from all property owners. Down-zoning is defined as zoning changes that decrease development density or reduce permitted land uses, such as making an area less developable or allowing fewer types of land uses. The bill removes a previous provision that considered creating any type of nonconformity on non-residential land as down-zoning. The legislation allows local governments to propose zoning changes that reduce development potential without needing property owners' explicit agreement, with the changes applying retroactively to December 11, 2024. This means that any zoning ordinances affected by a previous legislative act (S.L. 2024-57) will be reinstated to their status as of that date, effectively giving Chatham County and its municipalities more flexibility in managing local land use and zoning regulations.

Justice

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H195