North Carolina § 6-21 - 7. Attorneys' fees; cities or counties acting outside the scope of their authority.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 6-21 — 7. Attorneys' fees; cities or counties acting outside the scope of their authority., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 6-21. 7. Attorneys' fees; cities or counties acting outside the scope of their authority.
In any action in which a city or county is a party, upon a finding by the court that the city or county violated a statute or case law setting forth unambiguous limits on its authority, the court shall award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the party who successfully challenged the city's or county's action. In any action in which a city or county is a party, upon finding by the court that the city or county took action inconsistent with, or in violation of, G.S. 160D-108(b) or G.S. 143-755, the court shall award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the party who successfully challenged the local government's failure to comply with any of those provisions. In all other matters, the court may award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing private litigant. For purposes of this section, "unambiguous" means that the limits of authority are not reasonably susceptible to multiple constructions. History (2011-299, s. 1; 2019-111, s. 1.11; 2020-25, s. 1.) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2011-299, s. 1, enacted this section as G.S. 6-21.6. It has been renumbered as G.S. 6-21.7 at the direction of the Revisor of Statutes. Session Laws 2011-299, s. 2, made this section effective October 1, 2011, and applicable to claims for relief which are brought or defended on or after that date. Session Laws 2019-111, s. 3.1, made the rewriting of this section by Session Laws 2019-111, s. 1.11, effective July 11, 2019, and further provided that Section 1.11 clarifies and restates the intent of existing law and applies to ordinances adopted before, on, and after July 11, 2019. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2019-111, s. 1.11, rewrote the section. For effective date and applicability, see editor's note. Session Laws 2020-25, s. 1, effective June 19, 2020, substituted "G.S. 160D-108(b) or G.S. 143-755" for "G.S. 160A-360.1, 153A-320.1, or 143-755" in the second sentence.
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 6-21
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 6-21 cover?
Section 6-21 ("7. Attorneys' fees; cities or counties acting outside the scope of their authority.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 6-21?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 6-21" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 6-21 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.