North CarolinaHB 7682025-2026 SessionHouse

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CODE COUNCIL TO ADOPT RULES TO AMEND THE STATE BUILDING CODE AND STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE TO CLARIFY EXEMPTIONS FROM IN-BUILDING EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.

Sponsored By: Mark Brody (Republican), Tricia Ann Cotham (Republican), Matthew Winslow (Republican), Jeff Zenger (Republican)

Signed by Governor

ADMINISTRATIVE CODEADMINISTRATIVE RULESBUILDING CODE COUNCILBUILDING CODESCOUNCILSEMERGENCY SERVICESFIREFIGHTERS & FIREFIGHTINGINFRASTRUCTUREPRESENTEDPUBLICRATIFIEDTELECOMMUNICATIONSCHAPTEREDEMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

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3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Faster water permit decisions for projects

Beginning October 1, 2025, DEQ must follow strict timelines for state water quality certifications on projects eligible for U.S. Army Corps Nationwide or Regional permits that seek individual certification. DEQ must tell applicants about any fee within 5 business days or the fee is waived. Review starts when DEQ gets the fee or on the 6th business day if the fee is waived, and DEQ must post any required federal public notice within 5 business days. DEQ must decide completeness within 30 business days and review added info within 20 business days; if DEQ misses these steps, the filing is deemed complete. If no hearing is held, DEQ must approve or deny within 10 business days after the application is complete; if a hearing is held, DEQ must decide within 15 business days after the record closes. If DEQ misses the decision deadline, certification is waived unless the applicant agrees in writing to an extension of up to one year. DEQ may add only limits needed to meet State water quality rules, and may deny only if no reasonable conditions can assure compliance, with written reasons. Applicants cannot withdraw their applications after filing under this process.

How some water boards fill vacancies

In sanitary districts that provide water and sewer and sit fully in a county with more than 17 towns, board vacancies are filled by the remaining board members. The appointee must live in the same single‑member residency district as the departing member. The appointee serves until the next sanitary district board election. This rule takes effect July 2, 2025.

Easier radio rules for small apartments, hotels

The law exempts some buildings from in‑building emergency responder radio coverage rules. It covers R‑2 apartment buildings of Type V construction that meet egress rules, and apartments or hotels/motels two stories or less with a direct outside exit from each unit or room. The exemption applies to existing, new, and altered buildings starting July 2, 2025. Owners of qualifying buildings may permanently disconnect systems installed before July 2, 2025, but must remove primary and backup power, stop supervisory alarm signals, disconnect the donor antenna (keep lightning protection if left), and post a sign on any booster that coverage is disconnected as allowed by Fire Code Section 510. Until the Building Code Council’s permanent rules take effect, state and local code officials do not enforce these coverage rules for qualifying buildings. The Building Code Council must adopt rules that match these exemptions and disconnection steps.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jake Johnson
Republican • House
Nasif Majeed
Independent • House
Jeffrey C. McNeely
Republican • House
Shelly Willingham
Democratic • House