Durham could set default speeds and speed-review deadlines

The City of Durham may set a lower default speed limit by ordinance. The authority covers streets inside Durham that are not part of the State highway system. The default limit must be at least 20 miles per hour. Durham must put up gateway signs at major vehicle entrances to the city or a defined zone. Individual street signs with different limits override the default limit. Durham may not set or change speed limits on State highway streets under this subsection. Durham must keep a public map of streets covered by the default and streets with different posted limits. The default limit takes effect when Durham adopts the ordinance and puts up the required gateway signs.

The Department of Transportation must review Durham requests to set or change speed limits on State highway streets and must approve them or issue a written notice of concern. The process covers written requests from Durham for State highway streets inside the city. Requests must go to both the Division Engineer and State Traffic Engineer with delivery confirmation. The Department must find a requested limit reasonable and safe based on engineering and traffic information before approving it. Durham may appeal a notice of concern to the State Traffic Engineer within 30 days. If the Department does not act within 90 days, the request is deemed approved. Approval does not let Durham set a State highway speed limit on its own. The initial review is due within 30 days. An appeal response is due within 30 days. After approval, the Department has 60 days to issue its concurring ordinance and another 60 days to put up signs; the limit starts when the signs are installed.

If Senate Bill 595 becomes law, the tax-law definition of a retailer would include businesses selling, leasing, renting, or offering subscriptions for motor vehicles. The definition covers businesses that sell motor vehicles or offer short- or long-term leases, rentals, or vehicle subscriptions. This provision applies only if Senate Bill 595 becomes law. This provision is stated to take effect October 1, 2026.