The discharge of an arrow from a bow or crossbow is permitted within the City only in strict accordance with the following:
1. No person shall use a bow or crossbow to discharge an arrow from any City street, sidewalk or public right-of-way. No arrow shall be discharged so as to cross any street, sidewalk or public right-of-way
2. The discharge of an arrow from a bow or crossbow shall only be conducted for personal, non-commercial use from sunrise to sunset.
3. No person shall draw a bow or crossbow and/or discharge an arrow so as to leave the property on which it was discharged, unless the person has express written permission from the contiguous property owner whose property the arrow may enter. All arrows discharged must be aimed at a fixed target, and the target must be located on the same property on which the archer is discharging the arrow.
4. The target must be maintained in good condition, capable of stopping arrows regardless of the archer, type of bow or crossbow, and regardless of where the arrow may strike the target.
5.
A. For targets orientated so that the archer is discharging the arrow toward the exterior property lines of the property, a safety zone of no less than 150 feet (50 yards) behind the target is required. In addition, a lateral (side) safety zone is required on each side of the target along the length of the entire archery range as follows:
Distance to Target | Minimum Side Safety Zone Required |
up to 16 yards | 24 feet |
16-20 yards | 30 feet |
20-25 yards | 38 feet |
25-30 yards | 45 feet |
over 30yards | one and one-half times target distance |
B. The safety zones may include property contiguus to the property from which the arrow is being discharged only if expressed written permission is given by the property owner of the contiguous property. The safety zones must allow an arrow to land without striking any unintended object.
6. For targets orientated such that the archer is discharging the arrow away from the exterior property lines, toward the interior of the property, and the primary residence, garage, berm, or other substantial, non-moveable permanent structure is directly behind the target, a backstop of adequate size and sufficiency shall be used to prevent an arrow from leaving the property from which it has been discharged. All backstops must be capable of stopping an arrow regardless of the archer, type of bow or crossbow, and regardless of where the arrow may strike the backstop. The primary residence, garage or other substantial non-moveable permanent structure shall serve as a secondary backstop and must meet the requirements of a backstop set forth above in this Division 6. In addition, a lateral (side) safety zone as provided in Division 5 above shall be required. For any other targets oriented such that the archer is discharging the arrow away from the exterior property lines, toward the interior of the property, and there is no primary residence, garage, or other substantial non-moveable permanent structure directly behind the target, all safety zones set forth in Division 5 above shall apply.
7. When shooting a bow or crossbow, the archer must be able to clearly see that the area between himself or herself and the target is clear of everyone and everything except the target. Additionally, the archer must be able to see that the safety zone beyond and alongside the target is clear.
8. The archery range shall be in an area where it is visible to anyone approaching the range so that anyone can clearly see that archery is being practiced. The archery range shall allow such visibility to anyone approaching so that the person has adequate ability to safely avoid the archery range and the safety zones.
9. Anyone under the age of 16 years of age discharging any arrow from a bow or crossbow must be under the direct supervision of a responsible adult at all times.
10. This section shall not apply to the shooting of arrows under the direction of a certified public-school teacher in the municipal recreation program or public-school physical education program.
11. All violations of any provision(s) of Section 41.11 are hereby declared simple misdemeanors punishable by a fine plus surcharge and court costs and/or municipal infractions punishable by a penalty as listed in Chapter 4 of this Code of Ordinances. Violations may be charged as either a misdemeanor criminal offense or a municipal infraction, but specifically excluding imprisonment, at the sole discretion of the peace officer.
(Section 41.11 – Ord. 2115 – Jul. 22 Supp.)