GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

SESSION LAW 2015-192

HOUSE BILL 553

AN ACT to amend the authority of cities and counties to adopt ordinances regarding animals.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 6 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 153A‑145.4.  Limitations on standards of care for farm animals.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no county ordinance may regulate standards of care for farm animals. For purposes of this section, "standards of care for farm animals" includes the following: the construction, repair, or improvement of farm animal shelter or housing; restrictions on the types of feed or medicines that may be administered to farm animals; and exercise and social interaction requirements. For purposes of this section, the term "farm animals" includes the following domesticated animals: cattle, oxen, bison, sheep, swine, goats, horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, hinnies, llamas, alpacas, lagomorphs, ratites, and poultry."

SECTION 2.  Article 8 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 160A‑203.1.  Limitations on standards of care for farm animals.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no city ordinance may regulate standards of care for farm animals. For purposes of this section, "standards of care for farm animals" includes the following: the construction, repair, or improvement of farm animal shelter or housing; restrictions on the types of feed or medicines that may be administered to farm animals; and exercise and social interaction requirements. For purposes of this section, the term "farm animals" includes the following domesticated animals: cattle, oxen, bison, sheep, swine, goats, horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, hinnies, llamas, alpacas, lagomorphs, ratites, and poultry flocks of greater than 20 birds."

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 3^rd day of August, 2015.

                                                                    s/  Daniel J. Forest

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Pat McCrory

                                                                         Governor

Approved 3:17 p.m. this 5^th day of August, 2015