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Bill Summary · HB 1225

Bill Summary: HB 1225 (Session 2025, North Carolina)

Title

Winston-Salem Zoning Procedure Changes (Local)

What the bill does (main purpose)

  • Authorizes the City of Winston-Salem to delegate the authority to process and decide zoning map amendments from the city governing board to a designated planning board.
  • The delegation would allow the planning board to hold hearings and issue final decisions on zoning amendment requests, rather than requiring final action by the governing board.

Key provisions

  • Amends G.S. 160D-602 to include a specific delegation mechanism:
    • The governing board of Winston-Salem may, by ordinance, assign the authority to rezoning property to a designated planning board.
    • The delegation must be accompanied by a right of appeal and review before the governing board, in accordance with rules adopted by the governing board.
    • The planning board would operate under rules, regulations, and guidelines established by the governing board.
  • Geographic scope: This act applies only to the City of Winston-Salem.
  • Effective date: The act becomes law upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Local government: City of Winston-Salem, including its governing board and planning board.
  • Applicants seeking zoning map amendments within Winston-Salem would interact with the designated planning board for hearings and final decisions.
  • The governing board would retain oversight via appeal rights and the ability to set internal rules guiding the delegation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Process changes: Final decision-making on rezoning would move from exclusive gubernatorial/board-level action to potential planning board decisions, following the ordinance and established appeal process.
  • Appeals: The bill preserves an avenue for appeals/review by the governing board, ensuring a check on planning board determinations.
  • Implementation: Requires adoption of an ordinance by Winston-Salem’s governing board to delegate powers; once adopted, planning board procedures would be governed by the board’s rules and guidelines.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Potential for faster or more localized decision-making on zoning map amendments, depending on how the planning board’s processes align with the existing schedule of the governing board.
  • Increased importance of planning board procedures, staff capacity, and quality of hearings to ensure fair, consistent decisions.
  • Applicants should monitor any subsequent Winston-Salem ordinance establishing the delegation to understand specific thresholds, notice requirements, hearing procedures, and appeal timelines.
  • The bill is limited to Winston-Salem and does not apply to other North Carolina municipalities.

Status

  • Filed May 5, 2026.
  • Sponsored by Representative Zenger; co-sponsored by Kanika Brown and Jeff Zenger.

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

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