Bill > S497

This bill requires local governments in North Carolina to allow middle housing types (including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes, sixplexes, and townhouses) in all residential zones where single-family homes are currently permitted. Middle housing is defined as residential buildings compatible with single-family homes in scale and character, containing two or more attached, detached, stacked, or clustered dwelling units. The bill prohibits local governments from implementing regulations that discourage middle housing development through unreasonable costs, design restrictions, or complex approval processes, and mandates that middle housing be treated similarly to single-family home permitting. Specifically, local governments cannot ban long-term rentals, require commercial building codes or fire sprinklers for these structures, restrict parking arrangements, or mandate homeowners' associations. The law applies to areas served by local water or sewer systems and takes effect 18 months after enactment, with a provision that if local governments fail to adopt compliant regulations, middle housing types will automatically be allowed in all residential zones without limitation. The bill also invalidates any property restrictions that would prohibit middle housing development, aiming to increase housing density and potentially affordability by giving property owners more flexibility in residential development.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S497