§ 160D-1403.  Appeals of decisions on subdivision plats.

(a) When a subdivision regulation adopted under this Chapter provides that the decision whether to approve or deny a preliminary or final subdivision plat is quasi-judicial, then that decision of the board is subject to review by the superior court by a proceeding in the nature of certiorari. G.S. 160D-406 and this section apply to those appeals.

(b) When a subdivision regulation adopted under this Chapter provides that the decision whether to approve or deny a preliminary or final subdivision plat is administrative, or for any other administrative decision implementing a subdivision regulation, the following applies:

(1) If made by the governing board or planning board, the decision is subject to review by filing an action in superior court seeking appropriate declaratory or equitable relief within 30 days from receipt of the written notice of the decision, which shall be made as provided in G.S. 160D-403(b).

(2) If made by the staff or a staff committee, the decision is subject to appeal as provided in G.S. 160D-405.

(c) For purposes of this section, a subdivision regulation is deemed to authorize a quasi-judicial decision if the decision-making entity under G.S. 160D-803(c) is authorized to decide whether to approve or deny the plat based not only upon whether the application complies with the specific requirements set forth in the regulation but also on whether the application complies with one or more generally stated standards requiring a discretionary decision to be made. (2019-111, s. 2.4; 2020-3, s. 4.33(a); 2020-25, s. 51(a), (b), (d); 2022-62, s. 59(c).)