Relating to: statements of scope for administrative rules. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Julian Bradley and 7 co-sponsors

SB 275 exempts boarding kennels that board fewer than six dogs/cats from state licensing and inspections, shifting regulation to only six-or-more animal facilities.

Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

Main purpose

SB 275 narrows the state regulatory scope for small animal boarding businesses by changing the statutory definition of “boarding kennel” so that permitting, inspection, and other regulatory requirements apply only to facilities that board six or more animals. The stated intent is to reduce regulatory burden on very small or home‑based boarding operations.

Key provisions

Revises G.S. 19A‑23 to redefine “boarding kennel”:

New definition: a facility that “regularly offers to the public the service of boarding six or more of any combination of dogs or cats… for a fee.”
Facilities boarding fewer than six animals are no longer captured by the statutory definition of “boarding kennel.”

Requires the North Carolina Board of Agriculture to amend its boarding‑kennel rules to conform with the new statutory definition.

The Board may adopt temporary rules under G.S. 150B‑21.1 while it makes permanent rule changes.

Effective date: October 1, 2025.

Who is affected

Small businesses and individuals who board animals (pet sitters, home‑based boarders, small kennels):

Operators who board fewer than six dogs and/or cats would be exempt from requirements that apply to licensed/regulated boarding kennels.
Operators boarding six or more animals remain subject to existing licensing, inspection, and operational standards.

North Carolina Board of Agriculture and enforcement/inspection agencies:

Must revise administrative rules and adjust inspection/enforcement processes to reflect the new threshold.

Pet owners/consumers:

May see more small providers operating without state kennel permits/inspections.

Local governments:

Zoning and local ordinances are not altered by the text of this bill; local land‑use rules may still apply.

Potential impacts and considerations

Administrative/fiscal:

Likely reduced regulatory/inspection workload for the agriculture agency for very small operations; any fiscal savings are probably modest.
The Board may incur one‑time administrative costs to revise and publish new rules; temporary rules authority may accelerate implementation.

Public health and animal welfare:

Exempting very small boarding providers from kennel requirements could reduce oversight for animal health, sanitation, or disease control in those places. Supporters cite reduced compliance costs for micro‑businesses; critics may raise concerns about inconsistent standards and consumer protection.

Small business effects:

Expected relief from permitting costs and inspection requirements for home‑based and small boarding services that fall below the six‑animal threshold.

Implementation / next steps

The Board of Agriculture must update its rules to align with the revised statutory definition; it may use temporary rulemaking authority (G.S. 150B‑21.1) to do so quickly.

Operators should watch for Board rule changes that specify any continuing standards, exemptions, recordkeeping, or consumer‑protection requirements that apply to small providers.

Local zoning or business licensing requirements may still apply; small operators should confirm compliance with municipal/county rules.

For readers wanting the statutory detail: the change amends G.S. 19A‑23’s definition of “boarding kennel” and directs the Board of Agriculture to adjust its rules accordingly.

Bill