GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 499
Short Title: Allow Housing Near Jobs. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Moffitt and Mayfield (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 26, 2025
*S499 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO ALLOW BY R IGHT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND USE IN ALL 2
AREAS ZONED FOR COMM ERCIAL USE. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Article 7 of Chapter 160D of the General Statutes is amended by 5
adding a new section to read: 6
"ยง 160D-707. Residential development allowed in all commercial zones. 7
(a) In all areas and districts zoned for commercial, office, or retail use, a local government 8
shall allow by right, and no amendment to zoning regulations or conditional use permit shall be 9
required, residential development to the same extent as allowed in areas and districts zoned for 10
residential use. The provisions of this section include the conversion of a building or a portion of 11
a building from commercial use to residential use. 12
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or diminish any applicable 13
building code, fire code, or other general public health and safety regulations." 14
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2025. 15