Enacts new subsection (d) to GS 153A-121, pertaining to the general ordinance-making power of a county, and enacts new subsection (d) to GS 160A-174, pertaining to the general ordinance-making power of a city, to prohibit any county or city from establishing standards of care for farm animals, including, but not limited to, the construction, repair, or improvement of farm animal shelter or housing, restrictions on the types of feed or medicines that may be given to farm animals, and exercise and social interaction requirements. Defines farm animal to include cattle, oxen, bison, sheep, swine, goats, horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, hinnies, llamas, alpacas, lagomorphs, ratites, and poultry.

Current law provides under GS 153A-127 that a county may define and prohibit the abuse of animals by ordinance and GS 160A-182 provides the same authority to a city. However, GS 153A-127 and GS 160A-182 reiterate that these provisions do not authorize a county or city to establish standards of care for farm animals.