North Carolina Considers Capping Local Property Tax Increases

Proposed constitutional amendment would require state legislature to limit property tax levy increases

Mar. 19, 2026 at 8:39pm

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North Carolina lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment that would require the state legislature to pass laws limiting the amount by which local property tax levies can increase. The proposal, pushed by Republican Rep. Erin Paré, has drawn some bipartisan support, with Democratic Rep. Becky Carney saying she's willing to let the public vote on whether to implement a property tax cap. The state legislature's short session begins on April 21, with property tax reform as a priority.

Why it matters

Property tax increases have been a concern for many North Carolina homeowners, with some calling for more predictability in their budgets. The proposed constitutional amendment would give voters a direct say in whether the state should cap local property tax increases, a move that could have significant implications for local government revenues and residents' cost of living.

The details

The proposed constitutional amendment would instruct the North Carolina General Assembly to pass laws limiting the amount by which the levy of taxes on property can increase. Lawmakers have not yet settled on a specific cap amount, but the amendment's sponsor, Rep. Erin Paré, says homeowners deserve more predictability in their budgets. The proposal has drawn bipartisan support, with Democratic Rep. Becky Carney saying she's willing to let the public vote on whether to implement a property tax cap.

  • The North Carolina legislature's short session begins on April 21, 2026.
  • Lawmakers are considering the property tax cap proposal during this session.

The players

Rep. Erin Paré

A Republican state representative from Wake County who is pushing the constitutional amendment to cap local property tax increases.

Rep. Becky Carney

A Democratic state representative from Mecklenburg County who says she's willing to let the public vote on whether to implement a property tax cap, despite not normally supporting constitutional amendments.

House Speaker Destin Hall

The North Carolina House Speaker who has made property tax reform a priority for the 2026 legislative session.

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What they’re saying

“We really owe people a sense of predictability of what they're looking at, in terms of their … budgets.”

— Rep. Erin Paré

“We're going to let the public have an input on whether we should do this or not. You either tell us you want … a cap, or you don't.”

— Rep. Becky Carney

What’s next

The North Carolina legislature's short session begins on April 21, 2026, and property tax reform is a priority. Lawmakers will continue to debate the proposed constitutional amendment to cap local property tax increases during this session.

The takeaway

The debate over a potential property tax cap in North Carolina highlights the ongoing tension between providing homeowners with more predictable budgets and ensuring local governments have sufficient revenue to fund essential services. The proposed constitutional amendment would give voters a direct say in this issue, which could have significant implications for residents and their communities.