NC H248

Owner-occupied single-family dwellings with home businesses would be exempt from live/work unit requirements under the NC Building Code, remaining classified under the less stringent Residential Code

Home business must be operated directly by the owner-occupant (not leased to third parties), comply with local zoning, and the dwelling must serve as the owner's primary residence

Counties and municipalities are prohibited from imposing commercial building code requirements or additional construction, fire-safety, or structural standards solely due to home business use

Private covenants, HOA bylaws, and deed restrictions limiting home businesses remain enforceable; local zoning authority to prohibit specific business types (adult establishments, hazardous materials) is preserved

NC Building Code Council and Residential Code Council must adopt permanent rules implementing these exemptions, at which point the statutory provisions sunset