North Carolina voters set cap on local property tax hikes
A 60.4% majority approved a constitutional amendment forcing state lawmakers to limit year-over-year property tax increases for cities and counties.
By Amina Howard ·
North Carolina homeowners will soon face new restrictions on annual property tax increases after voters approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday. The measure forces the state General Assembly to set limits on how much local governments can raise property taxes from one year to the next.
State election data showed 2,492,761 voters supporting the change, while 1,574,188 voted against it. This result represents a 60.4% majority in favor of the amendment. The vote concludes a process that began with the state constitution previously placing no such limits on local governing bodies.
The amendment specifically targets property tax rates set by cities and counties. Supporters described the move as a necessary check on local municipalities. They argued the change shields homeowners from sharp, unexpected tax hikes.
Critics of the measure argued the caps would restrict local governments. They noted that smaller towns rely on flexible tax revenue to fund community services or manage emergencies. The survey data from Elon University showed public support for this measure was the highest among three recent ballots, with 71% of respondents in favor and 15% opposed.
The vote follows other recent elections in the state where residents approved changes to voting procedures and tax rates. Lawmakers must now enact legislation to define the specific caps on property tax increases as required by the new constitutional provision.
