Humboldt County Municipal Code Ch. 5.5 Target Shooting

Sections: Findings and Purpose. Authority. Provisions Supplementary to State Law. Area Affected. Definitions. Target Shooting Near State Highway/Highways. Restricted Target Shooting. Safe Shooting Standards. Penalty. 915.5-1. Findings and Purpose. The Board of Supervisors finds that a large number of beaches, dunes and river bars located in the County of Humboldt are being used by persons to discharge firearms for the purpose of target shooting. Due to some irresponsible, unsafe shooters, the properties located adjacent to these areas have become unsafe for owners, visitors, and animals, denying owners the ability to enjoy their own land. The Board of Supervisors finds that the unsafe discharge of firearms for the purpose of target shooting is interfering with the lawful use of the adjacent land. Because of the proximity of people, occupied dwellings, livestock, and equipment, the discharge of firearms for the purpose of target shooting in areas not meeting safe shooting standards poses a serious hazard to the public health, safety, and welfare. In order to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the landowners and visitors to lands adjacent to these areas, the Board finds it necessary to prohibit the discharge of firearms for the purpose of target shooting in areas not meeting safe shooting standards. Further, the Board finds that target shooting in unsafe conditions constitutes the unnecessary firing and discharge of firearms. This chapter does not interfere with the lawful hunting activities outlined in the California Fish and Wildlife Regulations, or target shooting on private property. The Board of Supervisors finds that the Humboldt County Sheriff is responsible for investigating unlawful shooting on public lands located in the unincorporated area of the County. (Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018) 915.5-2. Authority. Pursuant to the authority in Section 25840 of the Government Code, the County of Humboldt establishes the following restrictions on the unnecessary firing and discharge of firearms. (Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018)

915.5-3. Provisions Supplementary to State Law. The provisions of this chapter are not intended to conflict with, but shall supplement, all laws of the State of California relating to the use and discharge of firearms. (Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018) 915.5-4. Area Affected. The provisions of this chapter shall be operative in the unincorporated area of the County and within the areas more particularly described below. (Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018) 915.5-5. Definitions. (a) “Firearm,” for purposes of this chapter, means any device designed to be used as a weapon, from which a projectile may be expelled by the force of any explosion, or other form of combustion. (b) “Public place,” for purposes of this chapter, means any area open to common or general use, participation or enjoyment, including, but not limited to, such areas as beaches, parks, parking areas, roadways, trails, river bars, and other areas which are open and accessible to the public. (c) “State highway,” for purposes of this chapter, includes: (1) State Route 211 from US 101 to Ocean Avenue and Main Street in Ferndale; (2) California 254 from the interchange at Sylvandale to one-tenth (1/10) mile north of Jordan Creek; (3) California 255 from US 101 at 5th Street in Eureka to the interchange with US 101 in Arcata; (4) Highway 36 from the interchange with US 101 to the Trinity County line; (5) State Route 96 from the intersection with Highway 299 to the Hoopa Indian Reservation boundary; (6) Highway 101 from the Mendocino County line to the Del Norte County line; and (7) Highway 299 from the interchange with US 101 to the Trinity County line. (d) “Target shooting” means any recreational or sport activity involving a person who discharges a firearm at a specified target, from a distance. (Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018) 915.5-6. Target Shooting Near State Highway/Highways. Target shooting in a public place shall not be allowed within one-half (1/2) mile of any State highway/highways as defined in Section 915.5-5(c), and shown on the map in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

(Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018) 915.5-7. Restricted Target Shooting. No person shall discharge any firearm for the purpose of target shooting on, into or over the following places: (a) Any public place, as defined in subsection (b) of § 915.5-5, unless the safe shooting standards listed in Section 915.5-8 are met. (b) Within one hundred fifty (150) yards of any occupied dwelling, residence, or other building, or within one hundred fifty (150) yards of a barn or other outbuilding used in connection with an occupied dwelling, residence, or other building, other than by the owner, person in possession of the premises, or a person having the express permission of the owner or person in possession of the premises. The one hundred fifty (150) yard area is a “safety zone.” (c) Unless prohibited by law, statute or ordinance, no target shooting is allowed within one hundred fifty (150) yards of any commonly used road or pedestrian/equine trail on public land in recreational areas. (Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018; Ord. 2676, § 2, 6/22/2021) 915.5-8. Safe Shooting Standards. The industry standard for target shooting requires a 20-foot-tall backdrop of earth behind the target area. The backdrop must catch all stray projectiles that do not stop at the target area. Any shooting location not meeting the industry standard is an unsafe shooting location. Shooting in an unsafe shooting location is a violation of this chapter. (Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018) 915.5-9. Penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment in the County jail not to exceed six (6) months, or both. (Ord. 2605, § 1, 7/24/2018) § 916-1.