Enacts new GS Chapter 93F (Interior Design).

Defines interior designas five listed professional activities, including programming, planning, pre-design analysis, and conceptual design, including the selection of materials, furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Lists eleven authorized actions and duties of registered interior designers. Charges the Department of Insurance (Department) with administration of the registration program. Provides for expiration of registration after two years, and for renewal of registration. Sets out qualifications for registration and renewal as an interior designer, and fees that may be charged by the Department. Provides for the Department's disciplinary authority, including assessing civil penalties and disciplinary costs, and seeking injunction against violations of this Chapter. Makes it a Class 2 misdemeanors to (1) affix a registered interior designer's signature or seal to any interior technical submissions without the registrant's permission; (2) use or attempt to use an expired, inactive, suspended, or revoked registration or seal, or the registration or seal of another, or impersonating a registrant; (3) obtain or attempt to obtain a registration by fraud; (4) make a willfully false oath or affirmation in any matter or proceeding as required by this Chapter; and (5) willfully prevent an individual from obtaining a building permit from a local government, provided that the individual seeking to obtain the permit is a registered interior designer. Allows for the assessment of civil penalties. Provides that the Chapter does not apply to interior decorators, licensed design professionals, or attorneys at law licensed pursuant to GS Chapter 84.

Amends GS 83A-9 to only require one of the members of the partnership to be duly licensed to practice architecture for the partnership to practice architecture, and to refer to registration in addition to licensing.

Amends GS 153A-357 and GS 160A-417 to direct a county or city that denies or withholds the issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy to provide a written explanation and a copy of the ordinance or other basis for its decision. Makes conforming changes.

Effective October 1, 2017.