Special Report: NC Lawmakers Push for More Housing
Four statewide bipartisan housing bills just dropped. Here's what they could do.
Hey, it’s Jenn. Big housing news out of Raleigh this week!
Multiple bipartisan housing bills were just filed in North Carolina’s legislature. I’m excited because these bills are a big deal for the future of housing in North Carolina.
At first glance, these might seem like technical tweaks. But these bills are actually practical people oriented solutions to the challenges so many of us are facing. Rising costs. Long commutes. A lack of housing options.
Below I’ll start to walk through what’s in each bill and why it matters. Especially for those of us who care about affordability, local economic vitality, and building communities where everyone has a place to live and a way to stay.
Let’s dive in.
🏘️ SB 497 – Expand Middle Housing
This bill would legalize duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and even sixplexes in all residential zones, including those that currently only allow single-family homes.
Why it matters:
We need more affordable homes in the places people actually want to live and local code changes are happening too slowly to keep up.
Across North Carolina — from Wilmington to Durham to Waynesville — demand for housing in walkable, job-rich neighborhoods is soaring. But local zoning codes still ban anything except detached houses in most neighborhoods. SB 497 could change that. It opens the door to more housing types in areas already served (or easily served) by public water and sewer, making smarter use of existing infrastructure, not pushing sprawl out into farmland and forests. Just like similar reforms in Raleigh and Durham, SB 497 adds flexibility without disruption. This bill doesn’t ban or replace single-family homes. It simply legalizes other options alongside them. The kinds of homes North Carolinians used to build in every town, duplexes, triplexes, and small apartment buildings, we still love today.
Into the policy weeds? Read the full bill here.
🏪 SB 499 – Housing Near Jobs
This bill would allow residential development in all commercial zones by right — meaning no rezoning, no special permits, no political gymnastics.
Why it matters:
You’d be able to build homes for people everywhere you can already build a Dollar General, making the most of under-utilized commercial properties.
Across North Carolina, commercial corridors in both small towns and big cities are filled with empty parking lots, underused strip malls, and aging office parks. SB 499 could give those spaces new life by allowing homes near schools, grocery stores, and job centers. (Fun fact: I actually wrote my thesis on exactly this — reimagining big box stores and strip malls as vibrant, mixed-use housing.) Letting people live closer to work reduces strain on roads, shortens commutes, and eases traffic congestion. Allowing housing by right in commercial areas is smart, sustainable growth. And this is where rural and urban interests meet. For smaller towns, it could help revitalize downtowns without waiting on a mega-project. For everyone, it brings much-needed housing closer to the places we already go every day.
Into the policy weeds? Read the full bill here.
🏢 SB 492 – Single Stair Building Code Reform
This bill would allow residential apartment buildings up to 75 feet tall (about 6-8 stories) to be built with just one stairwell, as long as they meet strict fire safety standards.
Why it matters:
If we want more walkable, family-friendly neighborhoods, we have to allow the buildings that make them possible.
Small-scale apartment buildings used to be part of nearly every neighborhood. They’re better for families, but today, we can’t legally build them. Even though modern materials and sprinkler systems make them safer than ever. Right now, the NC building code generally requires two stairways in residential buildings. SB 492 fixes that. A simple code change like this makes construction more viable on small lots, adds more usable space to each floor plan, and allows for flat-style homes that work better for seniors, families, and people with mobility challenges.
Into the policy weeds? Read the full bill here.
🏡 SB 495 – Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
This bill legalizes one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per lot in all areas zoned for single-family homes, essentially democratizing the ability to own a backyard cottage, garage apartment, or basement suite.
Why it matters:
Most of us have lived in one, stayed in one, or dreamed of building one. This bill gives homeowners a simple way to make additional housing possible in the neighborhoods we already know and love.
SB 495 would give homeowners more flexibility. Whether it’s for a grandparent, a college-aged kid, or a little rental income to help cover the mortgage, this empowers people across North Carolina to make the most of their property. ADUs add housing without changing neighborhood character. They’re small, discreet, and perfect for blending in. They are an incremental step that improves affordability for homeowners and renters alike with no need for bulldozing blocks or building towers. And unlike some reforms that mostly apply to urban cores, this one works just as well in Boone or Beaufort as it does in Raleigh. It’s low-cost, low-impact, and the cities that have started adopting it have already seen big benefits (we wrote about Raleigh’s stats here).
Into the policy weeds? Read the full bill here.
Now, Why are these Bills a Big Deal?
Taken together, these bills are a bold, coordinated step toward solving North Carolina’s housing crisis without turning every debate into a local battle.
North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. We’re adding jobs, attracting talent, and investing in our cities. But we haven’t done enough to address the supply side of the housing equation, which means the American dream of homeownership (or even basic housing security) is still out of reach for too many.
These reforms won’t mandate high-rises or bulldoze anyone’s neighborhood. What they will do is bring back the kinds of housing that already work, already reflect our values, and already belong here. Homes that reflect flexibility, fairness, family, and freedom. Which is why it makes sense to see these ideas brought forward by both republican and democrat state lawmakers.
We’ll keep watching these bills, talking about them, and sharing updates as they move. But for now, take a moment.
This is a big deal.
It’s rare to see this kind of momentum at the state level.
If we keep showing up, this could be the year we finally tip the scales toward more housing choices and better communities for everyone.
If you're fired up too, now’s the time to act.
Reach out to your legislators.
Talk to your neighbors.
Write a letter to the editor.
Come to a CITYBUILDER event and talk housing with us.
Change happens when we build momentum together.
This is what building together looks like.
— Jenn
Jenn Truman is the founder of citybuildernc.org and a working mom of four based in Raleigh. She’s a designer, advocate, and lifelong pro-housing neighbor helping build a stronger future for North Carolina, one zoning change at a time.
P.S. Want to stay in the loop or help us advocate for these bills?
Subscribe to our substack at citybuildernc.org and become a supporter today!
Thank you Jenn! This is a great post on important changes in North Carolina.