Sen. Lazzara files bill in North Carolina Senate clarifying land development regulations

A new bill filed by Sen. Lazzara seeks to clarify regulations on existing land development nonconformities and protect property owners from certain regulatory changes without consent, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 587 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Clarify Nonconforming Uses.’

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

In essence, this bill clarifies the regulations regarding nonconformities in land development. It defines a nonconformity as any land, structure, or use lawfully established that fails to comply with current development regulations, provided it is not extended or intensified. The bill ensures that amendments to land development regulations are unenforceable on nonconformities without the owner’s consent, barring certain state or federal interventions. It allows nonconformities to continue unless voluntarily discontinued for 24 months, with specific events tolling the discontinuance period. The bill also outlines rights to repair nonconformities and specifies conditions for nonconforming signs, emphasizing monetary compensation or relocation agreements for their removal. Additionally, it amends various general statutes to incorporate these definitions and conditions. The act is effective upon becoming law and applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, impacting any nonconformity existing as of that date.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Benton G. Sawrey proposed the most bills (56) 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.

Lazzara, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 6th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Harry Brown.