Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Ch. 5.12 Pigeons

The purpose of this chapter is to permit, subject to proper regulation, the keeping or flying of pigeons as a recreational sport and hobby.

(§ 1, Ord. 1215, eff. November 5, 1970 as amended by § 1, Ord. 1406, eff. April 3, 1975)

The term "pigeon," as used herein and in Section 10.08.010 (O) of this Code, means a pigeon that can be identified by a leg band issued by a recognized pigeon association, or one designating ownership of any pigeon that is kept or maintained in a cage for any reason or purpose.

(§ 1, Ord. 1215, eff. November 5, 1970 as amended by § 1, Ord. 1406, eff. April 3, 1975)

Pigeons, which are not raised or kept for the market or other commercial purpose, may be kept and liberated for exercise, training or racing within not less than thirty-five (35′) feet from any dwelling if a permit in writing, authorizing the keeping or liberating for exercise, training or racing of such pigeons be first applied for and obtained from the City. Each application for a permit to keep or liberate for exercise, training or racing of such pigeons shall be made upon forms to be furnished for that purpose by the City, signed by the applicant and filed with the Building Official of the City. Such permit may be issued by the City upon payment of a fee established by the Council under separate resolution. Every permit issued shall be subject to the following minimum conditions:

A. No permittee shall keep or maintain more than one hundred (100) pigeons of any kind.

B. No permittee shall liberate for exercise or training, at any one time, more than thirty-five (35) pigeons, and of that number not more than twice in any twenty-four (24) hour period.

C. The pigeons shall be flown for exercise or training in a manner that results in their fling a substantial distance from the immediate area of the loft, rather than continuously or repeatedly flying over the properties adjacent to the loft location.

D. No permittee shall allow any pigeon owned or controlled by such person, except when said pigeon or pigeons are being exercised, trained or raced through flight, to run at large.

E. No permittee shall feed pigeons outside the confines of a pigeon house or loft.

F. All feed for said pigeons shall be stored in containers which offer protection against rodents.

G. All pigeon droppings and food scrap shall be removed from the premises at least once a week and be disposed of in a sanitary manner.

H. The lofts or pigeon houses shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and in compliance with all health regulations of the City.

In addition to the foregoing, the Building Official may at any time attach to the issuance, continuance or renewal of such a permit such additional conditions as he considers necessary or appropriate to assure that the activities pursued by the permittee under the permit shall not create a nuisance or interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of property owned or occupied by persons in the area of the permittee.

The City, or its duly authorized representative, shall have the right to inspect each loft and pigeon house at such times as it shall deem advisable to determine compliance with the conditions attached to the permit.

Each permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be valid for the period of one (1) year from and after the date of issuance and shall be renewable on the payment to the City of a renewal fee annually as established by the Council under separate resolution.

(§ 1, Ord. 1215, eff. November 5, 1970 as amended by § 1, Ord. 1406 eff. April 3, 1975; § 14, Ord. 1458, eff. June 17, 1976)