Sen. Jarvis files bill in North Carolina Senate to reform land use laws

A new bill filed by State Sen. Steve Jarvis seeks to reform land use and development laws in North Carolina by aligning local regulations with specific statutory provisions, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 688 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Local Government Land Use Reform.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill aims to reform land use and development laws in North Carolina by amending planning, zoning, and related regulations applicable to local governments. It asserts that local development regulations align with specific statutory provisions, with inconsistencies void post-January 1, 2026. The bill empowers local governments to regulate zoning, structures’ physical forms, population density, and land use, while prohibiting certain building design mandates unless consented to or relevant to historic or safety codes. It mandates specific residential densities based on city size, effective July 1, 2025, and outlines quasi-judicial adoption processes for zoning regulations. The bill sets legal boundaries limiting local governments from imposing unauthorized conditions or standards. It also allows for recovery of legal fees and damages in cases where local governments or officials act beyond their authority. The bill, with provisions having varying effective dates, emphasizes streamlining development regulation and protecting property rights while balancing governmental oversight.

Jarvis proposed another 23 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Jarvis graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

Jarvis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 30th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Phil Berger.