North Carolina lawmakers have proposed three bipartisan bills to limit homeowners association powers. The measures would stop HOAs from banning gardens, rooftop or yard solar installations and accessory dwelling units, bar HOAs from blocking licensed in-home daycares, and require the state Department of Justice to log HOA complaints and report annually to the General Assembly. Sponsors say the bills could improve housing affordability, expand clean-energy access and support small childcare entrepreneurs.
North Carolina Bills Aim To Curb HOA Power — Clearing The Way For Gardens, Solar, Granny Flats And Home Daycares
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North Carolina lawmakers from both parties have introduced three bills designed to limit homeowners association (HOA) authority and expand what residents may do with their properties. If passed, the measures would prohibit common HOA bans on vegetable gardens, solar installations and accessory dwelling units (ADUs, often called "granny flats" or mother-in-law units), bar HOAs from blocking licensed in-home daycares, and require state tracking of HOA complaints.
What The Bills Would Do
Ban Common HOA Restrictions: One bill would prevent HOAs from prohibiting home vegetable gardens, rooftop or yard solar panels, and ADUs—changes proponents say would increase affordability and housing flexibility.
Protect In-Home Childcare: A second bill would stop HOAs from blocking licensed in-home childcare operations, making it easier for neighbors and small entrepreneurs to offer local care.
Increase Oversight: The third proposal would require the North Carolina Department of Justice to log complaints filed against HOAs and deliver an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the number of complaints and the reasons behind them.
Why Sponsors Support The Package
"This involves the affordable housing crisis that we are facing and this could be part of the solution," Rep. Ya Liu (Wake County), a lead sponsor, told WSOC-TV.
"We want to make sure that we reduce as many barriers, we deregulate as many laws... they are getting in the way of families, friends, and neighbors who want to establish childcare homes," Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (Wake County) said.
Advocates argue the bills address multiple concerns at once: lowering household costs by enabling energy-saving changes like solar, expanding housing choices through ADUs that support multigenerational living or rental income, and supporting small-scale childcare entrepreneurs. Requiring complaint tracking could also reveal patterns of HOA overreach and inform future policy.
Potential Benefits And Next Steps
If enacted, the measures could help homeowners lower utility and water bills, open up options for extended-family living and supplemental rental income, and remove barriers for licensed in-home childcare providers. The bills still must clear the state legislature; with bipartisan sponsorship, supporters say they reflect growing frustration among homeowners over restrictive HOA rules.
Where It Stands: The proposals are under consideration in the North Carolina legislature and would take effect only if passed and signed into law.
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