NC S688

Local governments may only exercise planning, zoning, or development regulation authority expressly authorized by statute, effective January 1, 2026

Prohibits local governments from setting parking requirements beyond ADA mandates, establishing minimum square footage for residential structures, or imposing road design standards exceeding Department of Transportation requirements unless the city accepts road ownership

Mandates minimum residential density allowances: cities with 150,000+ population must permit at least 5 dwellings per acre; cities under 150,000 must permit at least 4 dwellings per acre in residential zones

Bars local governments from requiring or accepting unauthorized conditions in conditional zoning approvals, including impact fees, building design elements, or driveway improvements beyond statutory limits

Expands legal remedies against local governments by requiring courts to award attorneys' fees when cities or counties act arbitrarily or exceed their authority, and allows personal liability for local elected officials whose individual acts are fraudulent, unlawful, or beyond statutory authority