I live in NC as well. Laws change from state to state, county to county and town to town as well. I would say contact a lawyer in your area. I have not heard of that in my area but things change from county to county. My county does not have the same anti-tethering laws that others do. Tom Garner has a video of the pens he builds now in response to the anti-tethering laws in his county.

Just check with someone who knows. EWO