H.B. 201 - Building Reutilization for Economic Development Act

• Exempts alterations and additions to commercial buildings with certificates of occupancy before January 1, 2012 from current energy conservation code requirements, allowing them to follow 2011 standards, provided additions do not increase building area beyond 150% of the original size.

• Clarifies stormwater management by defining "development" and "redevelopment," establishing that stormwater control requirements cannot be applied retroactively to existing development and redevelopment activities that do not reduce existing controls.

• Creates exemption from the North Carolina Environmental Protection Act for redevelopment or reoccupation of existing buildings, provided additions and new construction do not increase total footprint beyond 150% of the existing building footprint.

• Expands rural economic development funding eligibility to include local governments in development tier one or tier two areas, or rural census tracts in tier three areas (population density under 500 per square mile), prioritizing reuse of vacant buildings and rural healthcare facility expansion.

• Directs the Building Code Council, Environmental Management Commission, Coastal Management Commission, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources to amend their rules to conform with the act.