A new bill filed by State Rep. Allen Chesser seeks to prohibit cities from banning or overregulating home-based businesses that have no visible impact or excessive traffic in residential areas, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 372 on March 11 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Home-Based Business Fairness Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill, titled the Home-Based Business Fairness Act, prohibits cities in North Carolina from banning no-impact home-based businesses within their jurisdictional limits. It restricts cities from requiring permits, licenses, or other approvals for such businesses, which are defined as those operated by the owner or occupant of a residential dwelling that do not exceed local occupancy limits and whose activities do not lead to visible evidence of business from the street nor generate excessive traffic. Cities may impose reasonable regulations for public health and safety, ensuring compatibility with residential areas, and legal compliance. It also precludes requiring rezoning petitions or fire sprinkler installations for operating a no-impact home-based business. Exemptions are allowed for restrictions imposed by deeds, covenants, or homeowners associations. This act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Chesser proposed the most bills (18) 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.
Chesser graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan University in 2019 with a BS.
Chesser, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 25th House district, replacing previous state representative James Gailliard.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Chesser, Heather H. Rhyne, Jake Johnson, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 372 | 03/11/2025 | Home-Based Business Fairness Act. |
| Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, Matthew Winslow, and Steve Tyson | HB 364 | 03/11/2025 | STIP Grant Anticipation Notes. |
| Allen Chesser, David Willis, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Ray Pickett | HB 373 | 03/11/2025 | UNC Tuition Discounts for Certain Students. |
| Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, Heather H. Rhyne, and Kyle Hall | HB 351 | 03/10/2025 | Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds. |
| Allen Chesser | HB 332 | 03/06/2025 | Nash/Rocky Mount District Occupancy Tax. |
| Allen Chesser, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Jeff Zenger | HB 272 | 03/04/2025 | The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act. |
| Allen Chesser, Bill Ward, Brenden H. Jones, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 224 | 02/26/2025 | Strengthen Our Tribal Communities Act. |
| Allen Chesser, Charles Smith, Dennis Riddell, and Edward C. Goodwin | HB 227 | 02/26/2025 | U.S. & N.C. Flags/Made In USA. |
| Allen Chesser, Donnie Loftis, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 118 | 02/13/2025 | Disabled Veterans Tax Relief Bill. |
| Allen Chesser, Brian Biggs, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 112 | 02/12/2025 | Increase Permissible Interstate Speed Limit. |
| Allen Chesser, Allen Buansi, Jarrod Lowery, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 93 | 02/10/2025 | Constitutional Amendment/Repeal Literacy Test. |
| Allen Chesser, Edward C. Goodwin, Erin Paré, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 94 | 02/10/2025 | Dis. Veteran Homestead Excl. Prequalification. |
| Allen Chesser, Dante Pittman, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Kelly E. Hastings | HB 69 | 02/06/2025 | Military and Veterans Educational Promise Act. |
| Allen Chesser, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Kyle Hall | HB 46 | 02/04/2025 | Make Healthcare Affordable. |
| Allen Chesser, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 50 | 02/04/2025 | LEO Special Separation Allowance Options. |
| Allen Chesser, Brenden H. Jones, Heather H. Rhyne, and Jay Adams | HB 35 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Military Appreciation Month. |
| Allen Chesser, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Edward C. Goodwin | HB 38 | 02/03/2025 | Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act. |
| Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, Harry Warren, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 11 | 01/29/2025 | No Tax on Tips, Overtime, Bonus Pay. |
