A new bill filed by State Rep. Celeste C. Cairns seeks to restore local governments’ control over zoning decisions affecting their communities in Morehead City and nearby towns, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 281 on March 4 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Restore Down-Zoning/Multiple Municipalities.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill restores the authority of municipal governments in Morehead City and the towns of Beaufort, Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, and Newport to initiate down-zoning amendments without requiring the consent of affected property owners. Down-zoning refers to changes in zoning that reduce development density, decrease permitted uses, or create nonconformities on land not in a residential zoning district. The bill applies retroactively to Dec. 11, 2024, reinstating zoning regulations in effect before amendments made by S.L. 2024-57. The measure aims to give local governments greater control over zoning decisions impacting their communities.
Cairns proposed another six bills 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.
Cairns graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA.
Cairns, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 13th House district, replacing previous state representative Patricia McElraft.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeste C. Cairns | HB 281 | 03/04/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning/Multiple Municipalities. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Donna McDowell White | HB 275 | 03/04/2025 | Failure to Yield Penalties. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Brenden H. Jones, Kyle Hall, and Mike Clampitt | HB 276 | 03/04/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Bill Ward, Carson Smith, and Charles W. Miller | HB 206 | 02/25/2025 | Mod. Gun Retrieval – DVOs/Juvenile 911 Calls. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Matthew Winslow, and Steve Tyson | HB 159 | 02/21/2025 | Orphan Roads Maintenance Program Grant. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Brian Biggs, Erin ParĂ©, and Keith Kidwell | HB 4 | 01/29/2025 | Sam’s Law. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Ben T. Moss, Jr., David Willis, and Keith Kidwell | HB 7 | 01/29/2025 | NC REACH Act. |
