Article 3 — Keeping of Racing, Homing, and Sporting Pigeons as Household Pets

Pigeons that have been selectively bred for specific racing, homing, or sporting purposes, for the company and pleasure provided to the occupants, shall be considered to be household pets subject to the limitations of this article. (Ord. 201701: prior code § 7494.1)

The provisions of this article shall apply only to parcels ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area or larger that are located within the R-1, R-1-12.5, and R-1-20 zones, or as determined by City Planner subject to criteria set forth in Section 17.02.170. (Ord. 2025-15 § 2 (part), 2025: Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7494.2)

A. Leg Banding. 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 that are not banded shall not be considered to be racing, homing or sporting pigeons.

B. Number Limit. The number of racing, homing or sporting pigeons shall not cumulatively exceed one hundred (100) per parcel.

C. Loft Setbacks. 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 setback a minimum distance of ten feet from residential structures on the site, to provide adequate distance for clean and sanitary loft maintenance, and a minimum distance of twenty- five (25) feet from the buildable area of any adjacent parcel. The buildable area shall be defined as that portion of the parcel that excludes the front, rear, and side yard setback areas.

D. Loft Maintenance. Any loft used for housing the racing, homing or sporting pigeons shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

E. Release and Feeding of Pigeons. 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.

F. Racing Pigeon Association Membership. Owners of racing, homing, or sporting pigeons kept as household pets are required to be members of a nationally recognized racing, homing, or sporting pigeon association. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7494.3)

The limitations set forth in Section 17.32.270 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 Section 17.32.290, set forth additional requirements in said permit as may be necessary to maintain the health, safety and general welfare of its citizens. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7494.4)

A. The keeping of racing, homing or sporting pigeons, in accordance with the limitations specified in Section 17.32.270, may be permitted upon issuance of a permit by the planning and building division. A permit for keeping pigeons may be processed as an administrative matter by the planning and building division and no public hearing shall

be required. The permit application shall be made on a form prescribed by the planning and building division, and shall be accompanied by a fee set by resolution of the city council sufficient to cover the cost of handling the application.

B. The applicant shall provide documentation of membership in a nationally recognized racing, homing or sporting pigeon association with the permit application. The permit may be granted for a maximum period of three years. The permit may be renewed upon reapplication and a site inspection to verify compliance with the requirements of this article. C. The city shall have the right to enter the property for verification of permit compliance, consistent with the provisions and limitations of Section 17.46.030.

D. The permit shall be revoked by the planning and building division upon violation of any condition, regulation or limitation of the permit issued, unless such violation is corrected within ten days of notice of such violation. Any permit may be revoked for any violation. In the event of permit revocation, or objections to limitations placed thereon, an appeal may be made in writing to the planning commission. The planning commission shall review the appeal consistent with the provisions of Section 17.38.110. The decision of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council consistent with the provisions of Section 17.38.120. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7494.5)