H44 - Local Government Regulatory Reform 2015, Sec. 9: Leases of Property by Local Governments for Communication Towers (SL 2015-246)

Overview: Counties and cities are authorized by G.S. 160A-272 to lease property owned by counties and cities for up to 10 years. Leases for terms of more than 10 years are treated as a sale of real property. G.S. 160A-272(c) authorizes the lease of property for the siting and operation of a renewable energy facility for up to 25 years. This section amends the statute to do both of the following:

• Increases the public notice of a proposed lease from 10 days to 30 days.
• Allows leases of property owned by the county or city for the siting and operation of a tower for a term of up to 25 years. A "tower" is any new or existing structure that is designed to support or is capable of supporting equipment used in the transmission or receipt of television broadcast signals, radio wave signals, or electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of wireless communication service.

This section became effective September 23, 2015.