Chapter 160D_UNC SOG memo
What is Chapter 160D?
The new Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes consolidates current city-
and county-enabling statutes for development regulations (now in Chapters 153A and
160A) into a single, unified chapter. Chapter 160D places these statutes into a more logical,
coherent organization. While the new law does not make major policy changes or shifts in
the scope of authority granted to local governments, it does provide many clarifying
amendments and consensus reforms that will need to be incorporated into local
development regulations.
Chapter 160D is effective now, but local governments have until July 1, 2021 for the
development, consideration, and adoption of necessary amendments to conform local
ordinances to this new law. All city and county zoning, subdivision, and other development
regulations, including unified-development ordinances, will need to be updated by that date
to conform to the new law. Cities and counties that have zoning ordinances must have an
up-to-date comprehensive plan or land use plan by July 1, 2022.
This page gathers resources and training that may help local governments in the process of
updating local ordinances and policies to comply with Chapter 160D. The resources are
organized based on where you are in the update process.
https://www.sog.unc.edu/resources/microsites/planning-and-development-regulation/ch-160d-2019