Bill > S198

This bill restores the authority for local governments in Chatham, Durham, and Wake Counties to initiate down-zoning amendments without requiring written consent from all property owners. Down-zoning is defined as a zoning change that decreases development density or reduces permitted land uses compared to previous zoning regulations. The bill specifically removes a previous provision that considered creating nonconformities on non-residential lands as down-zoning. The legislation allows local governments to propose zoning changes that make an area less developable or restrict its potential uses without needing unanimous property owner approval. The bill is limited to the specified counties and their municipalities, and it becomes effective immediately with retroactive application to December 11, 2024, which means any zoning ordinances previously affected by a prior law (S.L. 2024-57) will be reinstated to their status as of that date. This change essentially gives local governments more flexibility in managing land use and zoning regulations in these three counties.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S198