NC S442

Revises conditions for county and city building inspections, changing "periodic inspections" language to "inspections for hazardous or unlawful conditions" in both G.S. 153A-364 and G.S. 160A-424.

Increases the threshold for inspections of residential buildings from more than two verified violations to more than seven verified violations within a rolling 12-month period, or two or more violations in a rolling 30-day period.

Limits targeted inspection areas in counties and cities to one square mile or five percent of the jurisdiction's area (whichever is greater) and requires targeted areas to address "blighted or potentially blighted conditions" with stated neighborhood revitalization strategies.

Restricts rental property registration requirements to individual units with more than seven violations in 12 months or two violations in 30 days, or properties in top four percent (reduced from 10 percent) of crime or disorder problem areas, with maximum registration fees of $500 per 12-month period.

Adds requirements for local governments to notify landlords of violations, prohibits criminal penalties for registration violations, establishes appeal procedures for rental units, and requires law enforcement cooperation in addressing tenant criminal activity before counting it against a property.