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Bill Summary · HB 1069

Summary: HB 1069 (2025 Session, North Carolina) — New Bern Unfit Dwelling Enforcement Options

Purpose and intent

HB 1069 authorizes the City of New Bern to impose civil penalties as an enforcement tool when enforcing orders that declare a dwelling unfit for human habitation. The bill explicitly applies to New Bern and adds civil penalties as an additional remedy beyond existing enforcement options.

Key provisions

  • New penalty authority: Amends G.S. 160D-1203 by adding a new subdivision:
    • (10) Civil penalties — The city’s ordinance may provide for civil penalties against any person or entity that fails to comply with an order issued under the authority of G.S. 160D-1203 (i.e., orders declaring a dwelling unfit for human habitation).
  • Scope and applicability:
    • The provisions apply only to the City of New Bern.
  • Effective date and applicability:
    • The act becomes effective when it becomes law.
    • It applies to orders enforcing G.S. 160D-1203 entered on or after the effective date.

Who/what is affected

  • Local government entity: City of New Bern is authorized to adopt ordinances providing civil penalties related to unfit dwelling orders.
  • Property owners and occupants: Any person or entity subject to a New Bern order declaring a dwelling unfit could be liable for civil penalties for noncompliance.

Practical impact

  • Provides New Bern with an additional enforcement tool (civil penalties) beyond existing remedies (e.g., abatement, orders, enforcement actions) for dwellings deemed unfit.
  • Could incentivize timely compliance with orders to repair, vacate, or demolish structures deemed unsafe or uninhabitable.
  • Penalty amounts, procedures, appeal rights, and penalty collection mechanisms would be governed by the city’s local ordinances adopted under this authority (not detailed in the bill itself).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Legislative status: Filed April 28, 2026; Sponsor listed as Representative Tyson (co-sponsor Steve Tyson).
  • Effective date: Tied to when the act becomes law; applies to orders entered on or after that date.
  • Local scope: This is a local bill limited to New Bern; it does not automatically apply to other municipalities.

Summary in plain terms

HB 1069 would empower the City of New Bern to levy civil penalties on people or entities that do not comply with court/administrative orders that declare a dwelling unfit for human habitation. The measure adds this option to the city’s enforcement toolkit, specifies that it only affects New Bern, and states that the penalties would apply to orders issued on or after the act’s effective date.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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