GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 768
Short Title: Clarify Radio Coverage Exemptions/Bldg Code. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Brody, Cotham, Zenger, and Winslow (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Housing and Development, if favorable, Emergency Management and Disaster
Recovery, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
April 7, 2025
*H768 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CODE COUNCIL TO ADOPT 2
RULES TO AMEND THE STATE BUILDING CODE AND STATE FIRE PREVENTION 3
CODE TO CLARIFY EXEM PTIONS FROM IN -BUILDING EMERGENCY 4
RESPONDER RADIO COVE RAGE REQUIREMENTS. 5
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 6
SECTION 1.(a) Definitions. – For purposes of this section, the following are 7
defined: 8
(1) Code. – The North Carolina State Building Code collection, including the 9
North Carolina Fire Prevention Code, and amendments thereto, as adopted by 10
the Council. 11
(2) Council. – The North Carolina Building Code Council. 12
(3) Emergency responder radio coverage requirements. – The requirements for 13
in-building emergency responder communications enhancement systems 14
specified under Section 510 of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code. 15
SECTION 1.(b) Exemptions Established. – Notwithstanding the emergency 16
responder radio coverage requirements of the Code, the following buildings and structures, 17
whether existing, newly constructed or altered after the effective date of this act, are exempt from 18
those requirements: 19
(1) Apartment buildings not exceeding 75 feet in height, constructed using wood 20
framing, provided the building has fewer than 150 dwelling units, and all 21
dwelling units discharge directly to the exterior or to an interior corridor 22
providing required egress that leads directly to an exterior exit. 23
(2) Apartment buildings and transient public lodging establishments, including 24
hotels and motels, not exceeding two stories above grade plane and that 25
provide direct exterior egress from each dwelling unit or guest room. 26
(3) Buildings defined as one-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and 27
townhouses regulated by the North Carolina Residential Code. 28
(4) Buildings with a total gross floor area of less than 12,000 square feet and 29
containing no story below grade plane or basement areas. 30
SECTION 1.(c) Treatment of Existing Systems in Exempted Buildings. – 31
Notwithstanding Section 901.6 of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code or any other provision 32
of the State Building Code that might require the removal of nonrequired or abandoned systems, 33
an emergency responder radio coverage system installed prior to the effective date of this act in 34 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 768-First Edition
a building or structure that meets the exemption criteria established in subsection (b) of this 1
section shall not be required to be removed. Such systems may be deactivated. 2
SECTION 1.(d) Rulemaking Required. – The Council shall adopt rules to amend 3
the Code, specifically Section 510 of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and any related 4
sections addressing emergency responder radio coverage, to incorporate the exemptions listed in 5
subsection (b) of this section and the provisions regarding existing systems in subsection (c) of 6
this section. Notwithstanding G.S. 150B-19(4), the rules adopted by the Council pursuant to this 7
section shall be substantively identical to the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section. 8
Rules adopted pursuant to this section are not subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of Chapter 150B of 9
the General Statutes. Rules adopted pursuant to this section shall become effective as provided 10
in G.S. 150B-21.3(b1), as though 10 or more written objections had been received as provided 11
in G.S. 150B-21.3(b2). 12
SECTION 1.(e) Interim Application of Exemptions. – Until the effective date of the 13
permanent rules that the Council is required to adopt pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, 14
the Council and local governments enforcing the Code shall not enforce the emergency responder 15
radio coverage requirements against buildings and structures that meet the exemption criteria 16
established in subsection (b) of this section, and shall apply the provisions regarding existing 17
systems established in subsection (c) of this section. 18
SECTION 1.(f) Sunset. – This section expires when permanent rules adopted as 19
required by subsection (d) of this section become effective. 20
SECTION 2. Effective Date. – This act is effective when it becomes law. 21