S607 - Regulatory Reform Act of 2024. (SL 2024-45)

Overview: Section 15.1 of S.L. 2024-45 does all of the following:

• Requires the Coastal Resources Commission to revise the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) rules to provide that for certain fixed docks, piers, or walkways damaged or destroyed by natural elements, fire, or normal deterioration, activity to rebuild the dock, pier, or walkway to its pre-damage condition is considered repair of the structure, and does not require CAMA permits, without regard to the percentage of framing and structural components required to be rebuilt. At the time a dock, pier, or walkway damaged or destroyed by natural elements, fire, or normal deterioration is repaired, the width and length of the dock, pier, or walkway structure can be enlarged by not more than five feet or five percent, whichever is less, and the structure can be heightened, without need for a CAMA permit. These changes do not, however, apply to docks and piers: (i) greater than six feet in width; (ii) greater than 800 square feet of platform area; or (iii) that are adjacent to a federal navigation channel.

No later than August 1, 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) must prepare and submit these changes to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for approval. The Department of Environmental Quality must report to the Environmental Review Commission on the status of their activities pursuant to this provision quarterly, beginning September 1, 2024, until such time as the General Assembly repeals this reporting requirement.

This provision becomes effective on the later of the following dates, and applies to applications for permits pending or filed on or after that date:

• October 1, 2024.
• The first day of a month that is 60 days after the Secretary of Environmental Quality certifies to the Revisor of Statutes that NOAA has approved the changes made to the CAMA Rules, as required by the provision. The Secretary must provide this notice along with the effective date of the provision on DEQ's website.

This provision expires when permanent rules adopted as required by the provision become effective.

• Requires local building inspection departments to, not later than 60 days after an inspection of a dock, pier, or catwalk or walkway that has been replaced in the coastal area, notify the Division of Coastal Management of the replacement.

This provision became effective July 9, 2024.

• Prohibits the North Carolina Residential Building Code from requiring a professional engineer or architect to design or otherwise certify the construction of residential docks, piers, or catwalks or walkways.

This provision became effective July 9, 2024.