(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect the health and safety of the community by regulating and controlling the raising, keeping and exercising of carrier and racing pigeons in order to prevent disease and nuisance within the city.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CARRIER PIGEON. Homing and racing pigeons which have the name of the owner stamped upon the wing or tail, or are banded upon the leg with the name or initials of the owner or with an identification or registration number stamped on the band.
LOFT. Any structure in which carrier pigeons are housed.
RACING PIGEON. A pigeon registered with a national pigeon racing organization and used as a game competitive bird.
(C) Permit. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect a loft or raise, keep, or exercise carrier and racing pigeons within the city limits without first obtaining a permit from the city.
(D) Application. The applicant shall file an application for such a permit with the city. The applicant shall pay a filing fee of $20. The application shall include a statement in writing by the applicant and adequate evidence showing that the construction and operation of the proposed loft will conform to the standards set forth in division (E) below. The application shall also include the name of the pigeon club or organization the birds are registered with, a contact person within the organization and a phone number where this person can be reached.
(E) Standards. No permit shall be issued by the city unless the following conditions are met:
(1) All pigeons must be kept and maintained in a pigeon loft as is defined in this section.
(2) The pigeon loft shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner at all times and shall be subject to periodic inspection.
(3) The pigeon loft shall be of a size sufficient to house the number of pigeons contemplated. In no case shall there be more than one pigeon per 2.25 square feet of loft space nor more than 50 total pigeons. Lofts shall be located on the property in a manner than would place such loft the greatest distance from all adjoining and adjacent dwellings, but in no circumstance can such loft be less than 40 feet from any dwelling, except for those lofts in existence at the time of passage of these regulations.
(4) All premises on which such pigeons are kept and maintained shall at all times be kept clean and free from filth, garbage, and such other substances that attract rodents.
(5) All pigeons shall be fed within the confines of the loft or premises in which such pigeons are housed and contained.
(6) Housing of pigeons shall not be permitted in a dwelling house.
(7) All grains and food stored for the use and feeding of such pigeons shall be kept in a rodent-proof container.
(8) Racing pigeons will not be released or exercised less than six hours after having been fed.
(9) No more than 25 pigeons may be released or exercised in one day.
(10) Pigeons may be released or exercised only between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
(11) The owner will maintain a log book which contains the following information:
(a) Pigeon band number;
(b) Pigeon plastic band color;
(c) Time out or released;
(d) Time returned; and
(e) Type of domestic pigeon.
(F) Conditions and safeguards. The permit, when granted, shall be in full force and effect only as long as the owner of said loft retains ownership at that particular location.
(G) Authority and inspection. The city or its designee is authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this section.
(H) Fees. An annual license fee of $20 shall be charged.
(I) Penalties.
(1) Finding of violation. Upon finding of violation of the provisions of this section, the city shall notify the owner of the pigeons. The owner shall then have 14 days to remedy the violations. After this 14-day period, the city shall reinspect the loft to determine if violations still exist.
(2) Revocation of permit.
(a) If violations continue to exist past the 14-day period, the city shall revoke any permit issued under the provisions of this section.
(b) If a license is cited for violations of this section three times in a 12-month period, said license shall be permanently revoked.
(J) Applicability. Owners of existing pigeon lofts as well as proposed lofts shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 785, passed 5-13-96) Penalty, see § 96.99