A new bill filed by State Rep. Brian Biggs seeks to restore local governments’ authority to initiate down-zoning without requiring unanimous property owner consent, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 161 on Feb. 21 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Randolph Co.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill restores the authority for local governments in Randolph County and its municipalities to initiate down-zoning amendments without requiring the written consent of all affected property owners. Down-zoning refers to changes in zoning regulations that decrease development density, limit permitted land uses, or create nonconformities in nonresidential areas. The change effectively reverts amendments impacted by a previous state law, ensuring that any ordinances altered by Section 3K.1 of S.L. 2024-57 will remain as they were before Dec. 11, 2024. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law and applies retroactively to Dec. 11, 2024.
Biggs proposed another eight 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.
Biggs, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 70th House district, replacing previous state representative Patricia Hurley.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Biggs | HB 161 | 02/21/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Randolph Co. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, Hugh Blackwell, and John A. Torbett | HB 144 | 02/17/2025 | Elect SBE/Superintendent as SBE Chair. |
| Brian Biggs, Allen Chesser, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 112 | 02/12/2025 | Increase Permissible Interstate Speed Limit. |
| Brian Biggs, Julia C. Howard, Kyle Hall, and Steve Tyson | HB 96 | 02/11/2025 | Expedited Removal of Unauthorized Persons. |
| Brian Biggs, Donnie Loftis, John A. Torbett, and Kelly E. Hastings | HB 86 | 02/10/2025 | Citizens’ Expungement Clarification of 2025. |
| Brian Biggs, Blair Eddins, Mike Schietzelt, and Neal Jackson | HB 87 | 02/10/2025 | Cell Phone-Free Education. |
| Brian Biggs, Donny Lambeth, Larry W. Potts, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 60 | 02/04/2025 | Modernize Medicaid Dental Rates. |
| Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, Neal Jackson, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 31 | 02/03/2025 | Make Election Day A State Holiday. |
| Brian Biggs, Celeste C. Cairns, Erin Paré, and Keith Kidwell | HB 4 | 01/29/2025 | Sam’s Law. |
