Homebuilders Association of Fayetteville

21st Century Building Expo & Conference

Energy efficiency and green building are two of the hottest topics in home building. Builders and remodelers are searching for ways to increase energy efficiency without significantly increasing the price of building a home.
The 21st Century Building Expo & Conference will offer several courses to help builders learn new techniques, and then use them in their business.
Building Energy Codes: An Introduction -- NCBI BT203, Sept. 15
Green Building for Building Professionals -- NAHB, Sept. 15-16
The Ins & Outs of Energy Efficiency in New Construction in NC -- General Session, Sept. 16
Cost Effective Wall Systems That Meet NC Energy Code -- General Session, Sept. 16

For more information or to register, go to www.21buildingexpo.com and click on Attendees.

Questions about the 21CBEC? Contact us at 1-800-662-7129 or e-mail Heather Crews.

NCHBA 2010 KEY ISSUES

EXTEND LAND DEVELOPMENT PERMITS

The process of obtaining government approvals can be difficult and expensive and in some cases changes in the law can render these approvals, if expired or lapsed, difficult to renew or even re-obtain. County and municipal governments, including local sewer and water authorities are also caught in this loop as they too have to obtain permits and approvals from State government agencies as well particularly from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Once obtained these permits and approvals may expire or lapse due to the inability of both the public sector and the private sector to proceed with projects authorized by the permit or approval. This in turn will create an unnecessary chain of events that will cost time and money and, in the end, wind up costing taxpayers more money.

Last year, the General Assembly approved S 831 Extend Permits Regarding Land Development, which tolled permits until December 31, 2010. Due to the lending crisis continuing longer than expected, it is necessary to extend S 831 tolling deadline until at least the end of 2011.

NCHBA strongly supports the extension of the S 831 deadline

NC SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES TASK FORCE (H 1701/S 1333)

H 1701/S 1333 would create an 11-member task force that, likely, would not contain a single representative from the private sector. The duties of the task force would include, among other things, applying for funding from various sources; promoting regional partnerships; identifying federal funding opportunities related to sustainable development; recommending policies that support sustainable communities; and developing a common local government sustainable practices scoring system. NCHBA is not opposed to the stated purpose and not opposed to all of the stated duties of the task force; however, we believe that the creation of the NC Sustainable Communities Task Force is neither necessary, nor a prudent use of limited state funds (requested appropriation = $500,000).

The concepts in H 1701/S 1333 look similar to language/goals from reauthorization of the Federal Transportation Bill that occurs every five years. The proposed 2009 reauthorization includes creation of an Office of Livability that will promote the integration of land use, planning and transit oriented development to “create livable communities”. The proposed Office of Livability would mandate a series of planning procedures at the metropolitan and rural level that would increase the role of the federal government in local land use planning. NCHBA is very concerned about the subjective definition of “livability” and of the expansion of the federal government into local land use decisions.

The federal bill is not moving at this time and has not received a recent committee hearing. For this reason, NCHBA believes that creation of the NC Sustainable Communities Task Force is premature and should be done only if required to obtain federal transportation funding. Even if a task force is required, NCHBA maintains that land-use planning and land-use decision making should remain at the local level and should not be usurped by state or federal government.

NCHBA opposes H 1701/S 1333 NC Sustainable Communities Task Force

SAFE ARTIFICIAL SLOPE CONSTRUCTION ACT (H 1870)

Before a reasonable and effective program for regulating artificial slope construction can be implemented, there must be accurate, understandable, parcel level maps available to all western NC residents. Many western counties do not have the GIS capability to provide this information to individual landowners. Without it, it will be impossible for Registers of Deeds to inform property owners whether or not their land is regulated under this Act. NCHBA supports the appropriation of necessary funds to allow the NC Geologic Survey staff to quickly and accurately complete the Stability Index maps for the entire western NC area. NCHBA supports an appropriation to western NC counties in need of GIS software and training. H 1870 does not include either of these appropriations.

NCHBA has a long history of support for proper enforcement of the Sediment Pollution Control Act. NCHBA has also supported local governments who have established local sedimentation/erosion control programs. If property damage in the western counties has been caused by inexperienced persons conducting land disturbing activities or by existing sedimentation laws not being enforced, then the Sedimentation Control Commission should conduct training and enforce the existing laws. NCHBA supports effective enforcement of existing sedimentation control laws.

NCHBA opposes H 1870 Safe Artificial Slope Construction Act

REGULATION OF APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT COMPANIES (S 829)

Use of Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs) has increased since the adoption of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) in 2008. The HVCC prohibits mortgage professionals from ordering appraisals and mandates that lenders have either a separate department to order appraisals or use third party companies to select appraisers. Many lenders have chosen to use AMCs rather than to restructure their operations. AMCs are not currently regulated by the Federal government or the state of North Carolina.

S 829 requires AMCs to be registered by the NC Appraisal Board, and to have a managing principle that is a certified general appraiser. Regulation will help ensure that homeowners will have accurate valuation of their residences and lenders will have accurate valuation of their collateral. Regulation will also potentially result in fewer foreclosures, which will protect banks and consumers.

NCHBA supports S 829 Regulation of Appraisal Management Companies

REGULATORY BURDEN ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Land costs represent 25% of the final home price, with the development process and site improvement accounting for half of that. No growth, slow growth, moratoria and other programs that limit supply directly increase the cost of raw land. Land development regulations, impact fees, permit costs, and process delays significantly increase the cost of site improvement. Regulatory costs add 10-20% to the final home price and that does not include additional costs due to high prices for materials and labor and as a result of unnecessary and burdensome building code requirements.

NCHBA supports S 117 Clarify Development Moratoria

NCHBA opposes H 1803 Review NC Programs for Climate Change Impacts (and related bills)

NCHBA strongly supports annual appropriations to the NC Housing Trust Fund

2009 Code Books Available

2009 North Carolina Building Code Books are now available. Walk-in customers can purchase books from the N.C. Department of Insurance at 322 Chapanoke Rd., Raleigh, NC 27603 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payment options include Visa, MasterCard, personal check or money order. Print this form to make your purchase.

To order online, go to http://www.iccsafe.org/e/promo.html?promoid=NCDOI.

Please call N.C. Code Sales at (919) 661-5880 (ext. 240 or 262) with questions.

NC Building Code Updates

2009 NC Residential Building Codes Update

May/June 2010

March/April 2010

November/December 2009

January/February 2009

December 2008

November 2008

October 2008

NCHBA-Governmental Affairs Report

N.C. General Assembly 2009-2010 Session

Bill Directory - Shows bills with actions during 2009-2010 session.

NCHBA Areas of Legislative Interest

The mission of the North Carolina Home Builders Association is simple—to protect the affordability of housing while enhancing the economic and social benefit to the community. The wide range of issues affecting home builders makes it safe to say that no other trade association is impacted by as many bills in the General Assembly as NCHBA. Every session, NCHBA works to protect our members’ interests. While our issues are wide-ranging, the following are four general categories of interest to NCHBA:

Construction and Business Issues
NCHBA is made up primarily of small business owners; therefore the association is concerned about the wide range of issues that face the business community in general. In addition, NCHBA is particularly concerned about issues that are unique to the construction industry. Home building requires a well-trained and readily available work force, which NCHBA believes should be addressed through improved education and vocational training. Continuing education/accreditation and licensure issues are also extremely important to our members.

Environmental and Land-Use Issues
During the home building process, the natural environment is necessarily altered. This alteration is not always detrimental to the environment and may enhance sustainability. Regulations intended to protect and enhance natural resources, while well intentioned, often decrease the availability of homes for working North Carolinians by increasing the cost and reducing the supply of land and materials available for homes. When considering environmental protection measures, NCHBA urges lawmakers to consider economic costs as well as environmental benefits; urges environmental agencies to base requirements on sound science; supports just and timely compensation to private property owners when land acquisition or restriction is necessary; and prevail upon agencies to remain within their statutory authority when making rules.

It is important to recognize that growth is absolutely necessary for a healthy economy. In spite of the recent economic downturn, North Carolina is still growing (albeit more slowly than in the past). Growth is attributable to increased birth rates, immigration, economic vitality and job availability. Builders respond to housing demand; we do not create the market. NCHBA supports planning and broad based funding for infrastructure improvements. NCHBA also supports the revitalization of older suburban and inner-city housing markets.

Tax and Revenue Issues
NCHBA supports efforts to increase housing opportunities and opposes any proposal that unnecessarily increases the cost of housing. Impact fees, transfer taxes, adequate public facility fees and other assessments are opposed by NCHBA due to their disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income families and their adverse effect on housing affordability. In addition, NCHBA encourages passage of tax credits for energy efficient homes and home ownership tax incentives. NCHBA strongly supports green building and incentives for both home builders and home buyers.

Building Code Issues
In addition to representing the Association before the North Carolina Building Code Council, NCHBA also follows building code related issues before the General Assembly. We work to develop and support cost-effective and affordable building codes, standards, regulations and state legislation in the construction area. While safety is our priority, proposals also have to be examined for their cost-benefit and practicality. NCHBA supports changes to the building code that have supporting data, follow the proper process and are viable. NCHBA also supports construction worker safety training initiatives and is represented on the state’s OSH Advisory Council.