North Carolina § 120-166 - Additional criteria; nearness to another municipality.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 120-166 — Additional criteria; nearness to another municipality., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 120-166. Additional criteria; nearness to another municipality.
The Municipal Incorporations Subcommittee may not make a positive recommendation if the proposed municipality is located within one mile of a municipality of 5,000 to 9,999, within three miles of a municipality of 10,000 to 24,999, within four miles of a municipality of 25,000 to 49,999, or within five miles of a municipality of 50,000 or over, according to the most recent decennial federal census, or according to the most recent annual estimate of the Office of State Budget and Management if the municipality was incorporated since the return of that census. For purposes of this section, "municipality" means a city as defined by G.S. 160A-1(2) or a county that has exercised its authority under Article 24 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes. Subsection (a) of this section does not apply in the case of proximity to a specific municipality if: The proposed municipality is entirely on an island that the nearby city is not on; The proposed municipality is separated by a major river or other natural barrier from the nearby city, such that provision of municipal services by the nearby city to the proposed municipality is infeasible or the cost is prohibitive, and the Municipal Incorporations Subcommittee shall adopt policies to implement this subdivision; The municipalities within the distances described in subsection (a) of this section by resolution express their approval of the incorporation; or An area of at least fifty percent (50%) of the proposed municipality has petitioned for annexation to the nearby city under G.S. 160A-31 within the previous 12 months before the incorporation petition is submitted to the Municipal Incorporations Subcommittee but the annexation petition was not approved. History (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1003, s. 1; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1024, s. 25; 1998-150, s. 2; 2000-140, s. 93.1(a); 2001-424, s. 12.2(b); 2005-35, s. 2; 2011-291, s. 2.35.) Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2005-35, s. 2, effective May 12, 2005, added the last sentence of subsection (a). Session Laws 2011-291, s. 2.35, effective June 24, 2011, substituted "Municipal Incorporations Subcommittee" for "Commission" throughout the section.
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 120-166
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 120-166 cover?
Section 120-166 ("Additional criteria; nearness to another municipality.") 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 § 120-166?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 120-166" (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 § 120-166 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.