Porterville Municipal Code Art. VI Pigeons

Pigeons which have been selectively bred for specific racing, homing, or sporting purposes shall be subject to the limitations of this article and shall only be permitted in residential zoning districts upon obtaining a conditional use permit from the city council according to chapter 21, article 604 of this code. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The provisions of this article shall apply only to parcels six thousand (6,000) square feet and over, which are located within a residential zoning district. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

All racing, homing, or sporting pigeons shall be banded with a leg band. The "leg band" is defined as a seamless band, made of a durable material, which designates the national organization with which the bird is registered, and indicates the year of birth of the bird. Birds which are not banded shall not be considered to be racing, homing, or sporting pigeons. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The number of racing, homing, or sporting pigeons shall not cumulatively exceed one bird for every one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area for lots under ten thousand (10,000) square feet in size and two (2) birds for every one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area for lots in excess of ten thousand (10,000) square feet. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The structure ("loft") housing the racing, homing, or sporting pigeons shall comply with setback, height, and lot coverage limitations in the underlying zone. The loft shall be set back a minimum distance of ten feet (10') from residential structures on the site to provide adequate distance for clean and sanitary loft maintenance, and a minimum distance of twenty feet (20') from the property line of any adjacent parcel when there are no more than twenty (20) birds. The minimum distance from the property lines shall increase one foot (1') for every one bird over twenty (20) in number. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

Any loft used for housing the racing, homing, or sporting pigeons shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

All racing, homing, or sporting pigeons shall be confined to the loft, except for limited periods necessary for exercise, training, and competition. At no time shall pigeons be allowed to perch or linger on the buildings or property of others. Objects shall not be thrown at the birds during their training or exercise. All birds shall be fed within the confines of the loft. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

Not more than twelve (12) squabs over six (6) weeks old shall be permitted to be kept or maintained or raised on the property where pigeons are allowed in a residential zoning district. The squabs shall be counted in the cumulative total of pigeons allowed on the property by this article. Breeding of pigeons shall be incidental to the keeping of pigeons for racing, homing, or sporting and the breeding of pigeons for commercial purposes shall be prohibited. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

Owners of racing, homing, or sporting pigeons are required to be current members of a nationally recognized racing, homing, or sporting pigeon association. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The limitations set forth in this article shall be deemed minimum limitations required for the keeping of pigeons as provided for herein. The city may, as a condition to issuance of the permit required in chapter 21, article 604 of this code set forth additional requirements in said permit as may be necessary to maintain the health, safety, and general welfare of its citizens. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The applicant shall provide documentation of current membership in a nationally recognized racing, homing, or sporting pigeon association with the conditional use permit application. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The city shall have the right to enter the property for verification of conditional use permit compliance at any time. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)

The conditional use permit may be revoked by the city council upon violation of any condition, regulation, or limitation of the permit issued, unless such violation is corrected within ten (10) days of notice of such violation. Any permit may be revoked for any violation. (Ord. 1824, 6-16-2015)