2026 State Legislation Compliance
At a glance
Details come from auto-captions; bill numbers may be misheard.
- What: new North Carolina laws from the 2026 session that the city must adapt to, as laid out by staff.
- Where it stands: staff are reviewing ordinances.
- Next: a School of Government session on zoning changes is set for October 28. Council members asked that the separation allowance and downtown building policy go on the budget retreat agenda.
Land use and development
- No-impact home-based businesses (effective July 7, 2026): no permit or application may be required.
- Ban on minimum off-street parking requirements from January 1, 2027.
- Limits on stormwater triggers for redevelopment.
- Longer challenge windows and automatic attorney fees in land use disputes.
- A proposed ETJ repeal.
Water, sewer and taxes
- HB 376 (water and sewer affordability act): a third public hearing if outside-city rates exceed inside rates by more than 25%.
- Thomasville charges about 2.25 times, so it plans to freeze outside rates and raise inside rates over time.
- Special assessment foreclosure priority (October 1).
- A pending truth-in-taxation bill requiring a separate tax-rate hearing and mailed notices (estimated $50,000 to $100,000 extra, unfunded).
Public safety and other
- Police special separation allowance and officer bonus changes.
- A 25 mph default speed limit on unpaved or unmarked roads from December 1, 2026.
- E-bike classes.
- A non-ferrous metal theft offense.
- Also affected: the sanctuary policy rules and economic development incentive reporting (over $25,000 reported to the auditor).
Status and next steps
- Staff are reviewing ordinances.
- School of Government session on zoning changes set for October 28.
- Separation allowance and downtown building policy requested for the budget retreat agenda.
Discussion time
About 58 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-06 - City Council | 54 |
| 2026-08-17 - City Council | 4 |
Log
- 2026-10-06 - City Council - Staff briefing during the Personnel and Finance Committee on truth in taxation, HB 376, zoning, public safety and fire changes; the speed limit change needs staff to identify roads without centerlines and may miss December 1.
- 2026-08-17 - City Council - Misty Whitman listed the changes city ordinances must absorb (home businesses, parking, stormwater, water rates, assessments, separation allowance, sanctuary rules, incentive districts).