H171 Bill Summary

• Prohibits municipalities from petitioning themselves for annexation of property they do not own or have a legal interest in, including state-maintained streets unless the municipality owns the underlying fee.

• Invalidates annexation petitions that are unsigned or for property where no signature is required if the property owner objects to the annexation.

• Clarifies that a city has no authority to adopt a resolution for annexation of property it does not own or have legal interest in under G.S. 160A-58.7.

• Applies the same restrictions to voluntary satellite annexation petitions under G.S. 160A-58.1, requiring all petitions to be properly signed with property owner consent.

• Effective upon enactment (April 28, 2011).