North CarolinaNorth Carolina law limits parking requirements and stormwater controls
North Carolina law limits local parking requirements and stormwater controls on existing built-up areas when property is developed or rebuilt.
What it does
Local rules generally cannot require oversized off-street spaces or set a minimum number of parking spaces. Exceptions cover certain space types and historic properties in coastal areas.
Local stormwater rules cannot require added controls for existing built-upon areas. During redevelopment, added controls may apply to new paved area above the amount that existed before the work.
Argument forProperty owners could avoid added stormwater-control costs on existing paved areas, while still facing controls for new pavement above the prior amount.
Argument againstLocal governments could have fewer options to require added stormwater controls when sites are rebuilt, which may leave some runoff less controlled.
More detail
Local zoning and development rules generally cannot require off-street parking spaces larger than 9 feet by 20 feet or set a minimum number of spaces. These limits apply to local zoning and development rules for off-street parking. The size limit has exceptions for spaces designated for accessible, parallel, or diagonal parking. The ban on minimum parking counts does not cover local governments in coastal areas, except for specified historic properties. The parking rules take effect January 1, 2027.
Local stormwater rules cannot require added controls for existing built-upon areas, and limit added controls during redevelopment. The rules cover local stormwater programs and development or redevelopment at sites with existing built-upon area, such as paved surfaces. For redevelopment, added controls may be required for impervious surface created above the amount that existed before the work. The rules also bar added controls for redevelopment that does not remove or reduce existing controls. Federal law may require otherwise. Local governments with stormwater programs must update their ordinances within 12 months after this section takes effect; inconsistent rules become unenforceable after that deadline. This section took effect when the law became law and applies to stormwater rule and program amendments adopted on or after that date. Local governments have 12 months from that date to update their ordinances.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 7Ch. SL 2026-39Latest
- Jul 6Signed by Gov. 7/6/2026Became Law
- Jul 2Pres. To Gov. 7/2/2026To Governor
- Jul 1Ratified
- Jun 30Concurred In S Com SubMajor
- Vote recorded M11 Concur. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 30Ordered Enrolled
- Jun 25Cal Pursuant 36(b)
- Jun 25Placed On Cal For 06/30/2026
- Jun 24Regular Message Sent To House
- Jun 24Regular Message Received For Concurrence in S Com Sub
- Jun 23Amend Adopted A1Major
- Vote recorded Second Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 23Passed 2nd ReadingMinor
- Jun 23Passed 3rd ReadingPassed Senate
- Jun 23Engrossed
- Jun 22Reptd FavMinor
- Jun 17Reptd Fav Com SubstituteMinor
- Jun 17Com Substitute Adopted
- Jun 17Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the SenateMinor
- Jun 16Withdrawn From Com
- Jun 16Re-ref to Agriculture, Energy, and Environment. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the SenateMinor
- 2025
- Mar 26Regular Message Sent To Senate
- Mar 26Regular Message Received From House
- Mar 26Passed 1st ReadingMinor
- Mar 26Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the SenateMinor
- Mar 25Passed 2nd ReadingMinor
- Mar 25Passed 3rd ReadingPassed House
- Mar 24Reptd FavMinor
- Mar 24Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)
- Mar 24Placed On Cal For 03/25/2025
- Mar 18Reptd FavMinor
- Mar 18Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the HouseMinor
- Mar 4Reptd FavMinor
- Mar 4Re-ref Com On State and Local GovernmentMinor
- Feb 24Passed 1st ReadingMinor
- Feb 24Ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the HouseMinor
- Feb 21FiledIntroduced
Environment & EnergyTransportation