A new bill filed by State Rep. Karl E. Gillespie in the North Carolina House seeks to speed up local government reviews of development approvals and building inspections, 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.
Gillespie, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 120th House district, replacing previous state representative Kevin Corbin.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karl E. Gillespie, Jeff Zenger, Mark Brody, and Matthew Winslow | HB 876 | 04/09/2025 | Development Application Review Time Lines. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Celeste C. Cairns, Phil Shepard, and Steve Tyson | HB 869 | 04/09/2025 | Dynamic Symbol of Access. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Blair Eddins, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 647 | 04/01/2025 | Ag. PUV Conservation. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Donna McDowell White, and Larry W. Potts | HB 590 | 03/31/2025 | Patient Safety/Med. Imaging/Radiation Therapy. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Julia C. Howard, Kyle Hall, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 559 | 03/27/2025 | Make Elevators Great Again.-AB |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Cody Huneycutt, Donny Lambeth, and Edward C. Goodwin | HB 512 | 03/25/2025 | Emer. Care/Animals/Vet. Practice. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Cody Huneycutt, Donnie Loftis, and Howard Penny, Jr. | HB 471 | 03/20/2025 | Food Labeling Transparency Act. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Donna McDowell White, Timothy Reeder, MD, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 433 | 03/18/2025 | Registered Nurses in Schools. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Cody Huneycutt, Harry Warren, and Jeff Zenger | HB 381 | 03/12/2025 | On-Site Wastewater System Amendments. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Brian Turner, Cody Huneycutt, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 382 | 03/12/2025 | Elk Permit Auction/Raffle. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Brenden H. Jones, Frank Iler, and Steve Tyson | HB 295 | 03/05/2025 | Req. DOT to Install Prop. Corner Markers. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Carson Smith, and Charles W. Miller | HB 300 | 03/05/2025 | Vet Care for Retired First Responder Dogs. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Carson Smith, Jay Adams, and Keith Kidwell | HB 234 | 02/26/2025 | Little Federal Model NC Edition. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and John Sauls | HB 177 | 02/24/2025 | Reduce Barriers to State Employment. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Dudley Greene, Howard Penny, Jr., and Mark Brody | HB 184 | 02/24/2025 | Promote North Carolina Sawmills. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Carla D. Cunningham, Donna McDowell White, and Larry W. Potts | HB 160 | 02/21/2025 | Joel H. Crisp SUDEP Awareness Law. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Jennifer Balkcom, Jimmy Dixon, and Neal Jackson | HB 62 | 02/05/2025 | Farmers Protection Act. |
| Karl E. Gillespie | HB 63 | 02/05/2025 | Town of Andrews/Deannexation. |
