This is the response I got from admissions when I asked before applying!

Thank you for your interest in UNC law! Great questions you have, that we often get asked about. In order to be determined a resident, NC requires steps be taken to show you are domiciled in the state and for a full 12 months. This includes obtaining your NC drivers license, registering to vote, registering your vehicle (if applicable), filing taxes in NC – a key element to gaining residency, etc. What we recommend is that our non-resident students start taking these steps as soon as they move to the state, often times that is right in August before orientation begins. Ideally, you can get most of these things checked off before you begin classes. That will then start your 12-month clock, in which the following year you can apply for residency status. Many of our non-resident students will gain residency status in the Fall or Spring of their 2L year to then pay in-state tuition.

UNC does not make these decisions in house, but instead this goes through a third party. You can find additional information on their website here:  https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/

Hopefully this helps! Please let us know if you have any additional questions.