NC H36

Restricts counties and municipalities from applying design and aesthetic control zoning ordinances to one- and two-family dwellings except in specific circumstances: local historic districts, National Register historic districts, individually designated historic landmarks, safety code requirements, manufactured housing regulations, and National Flood Insurance Program conditions.

Defines "building design elements" as exterior building color, cladding material type, roof and porch styles, exterior ornamentation, window and door styling, room numbers and types, and interior room layout.

Prohibits design and aesthetic regulations from being applied directly or indirectly unless property owners voluntarily consent as part of a zoning amendment or development approval process, and prohibits indirect application during comprehensive plan consistency reviews.

Clarifies that design and aesthetic regulations do not apply to building height, bulk, orientation, location, buffering, screening, or permitted land use regulations.

Amends both municipal (G.S. 160A-381) and county (G.S. 153A-340) zoning statutes identically and clarifies the act restates existing law intent while applying retroactively to ordinances adopted before and after enactment.