Five counties and their towns could tighten zoning without owners' consent

Local governments would be allowed to initiate tighter zoning without every affected property owner's written consent. This would apply only in Craven, Carteret, Onslow, Jones, and Lenoir counties and their towns and cities. Unless the local government initiates the amendment, every affected property owner would need to give written consent for it to be initiated or enforceable. The provision would cover zoning that reduces building density or the allowed uses of land. The provision would take effect when the bill becomes law and would apply retroactively to December 11, 2024.

Affected adopted zoning rules would be in effect as they stood on or before December 11, 2024. This would cover Craven, Carteret, Onslow, Jones, and Lenoir counties and their towns and cities. This would apply only to adopted local rules affected by Section 3K.1 of S.L. 2024-57, the 2024 state law identified in the bill. This rule would take effect when the bill becomes law and would apply retroactively to December 11, 2024.