A new bill filed by State Rep. Jeff Zenger in the North Carolina House seeks to accelerate local government processing of development approvals and building inspections to improve efficiency, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 876 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Development Application Review Time Lines.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that local governments in North Carolina must review applications for development approvals and building inspections within two business days of receipt. Upon review, they must notify developers in writing of completeness or deficiencies that need addressing. Developers can correct and resubmit applications, provide explanations, or appeal decisions. If local governments fail to meet deadlines, developers may engage third-party reviewers to certify compliance, with local governments required to issue permits within two days of certification and waive applicable fees. The bill outlines conflict of interest guidelines for third-party reviewers and specifies that provisions do not apply to certain building permit applications. This act takes effect Dec. 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Matthew Winslow proposed the most bills (27) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Zenger, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 74th House district, replacing previous state representative Wes Schollander.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Zenger, Karl E. Gillespie, Mark Brody, and Matthew Winslow | HB 876 | 04/09/2025 | Development Application Review Time Lines. |
| Jeff Zenger, Jay Adams, Mark Brody, and Neal Jackson | HB 870 | 04/09/2025 | Sedimentation Act & Other Env.’l Changes. |
| Jeff Zenger, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Brenden H. Jones, and Mark Brody | HB 831 | 04/08/2025 | Comm. Inspect. Efficiency Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Erin Paré, and Steve Tyson | HB 811 | 04/07/2025 | Taxpayer Transparency Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Kyle Hall, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Wyatt Gable | HB 814 | 04/07/2025 | Power Infrastructure Resiliency & Eff.(PIRE). |
| Jeff Zenger and Donny Lambeth | HB 817 | 04/07/2025 | Triad Regional Grants. |
| Jeff Zenger, Carla D. Cunningham, Mark Brody, and Matthew Winslow | HB 765 | 04/03/2025 | Save the American Dream Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Mark Brody, Matthew Winslow, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 768 | 04/03/2025 | Clarify Emerg. Comm. Exemptions/Fire Code. |
| Jeff Zenger, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Mark Pless, and Steve Tyson | HB 763 | 04/02/2025 | Neighbor State License Recognition Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Carla D. Cunningham, John R. Bell, IV, and Mark Brody | HB 661 | 04/01/2025 | Building Industry Efficiency Act of 2025. |
| Jeff Zenger, Heather H. Rhyne, Jonathan L. Almond, and Neal Jackson | HB 618 | 03/31/2025 | Ivermectin Access Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Allen Chesser, John R. Bell, IV, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 402 | 03/13/2025 | Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs. |
| Jeff Zenger, Cody Huneycutt, Harry Warren, and Karl E. Gillespie | HB 381 | 03/12/2025 | On-Site Wastewater System Amendments. |
| Jeff Zenger, Dennis Riddell, and Mark Brody | HB 376 | 03/11/2025 | Various On-Site Wastewater & Well Provisions. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donna McDowell White, Donnie Loftis, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 319 | 03/06/2025 | Funds for Hispanic Grassroots. |
| Jeff Zenger, David Willis, Jonathan L. Almond, and Neal Jackson | HB 301 | 03/05/2025 | Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16. |
| Jeff Zenger, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Allen Chesser, and Charles W. Miller | HB 272 | 03/04/2025 | The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Julia C. Howard, and Ted Davis, Jr. | HB 264 | 03/03/2025 | Wire Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Mitchell S. Setzer, and Sam Watford | HB 247 | 02/27/2025 | Underground Safety Revisions. |
| Jeff Zenger, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Neal Jackson | HB 133 | 02/17/2025 | NC Farmland and Military Protection Act. |
| Jeff Zenger and Donny Lambeth | HB 82 | 02/10/2025 | Study Commission for LEA Size. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donnie Loftis, Erin Paré, and Steve Tyson | HB 56 | 02/04/2025 | Publish Central Office Employment Information. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donny Lambeth, Kyle Hall, and Larry W. Potts | HB 30 | 02/03/2025 | SchCalFlex/WS-F,Stokes,Davdsn/Aug11 & Assmnts. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donny Lambeth, Kyle Hall, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 34 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Larceny of Mail Offense. |
| Jeff Zenger, Erin Paré, Kelly E. Hastings, and Paul Scott | HB 15 | 01/29/2025 | Support Private Property Rights. |
