N. Aurora approves new ordinance for pigeon owners

North Aurora has jumped on the pigeon-regulating bandwagon.

The board on Monday voted unanimously to regulate how many carrier, show or racing pigeons a resident can keep. A change in state law earlier this year enabled municipalities outside of Cook County to make rules for the bird-keeping hobby - but they cannot prohibit it.

North Aurora residents will be able to keep up to 20 pigeons in structures called lofts, which will have to be approved by the village. Pigeon owners will have to pay $50 per year to register the lofts, which must be less than 8 feet tall and located more than 50 feet from any lot line.

Scott Bruening, the village's community development director, said North Aurora is trying to enforce existing village health-and-safety codes against one east-side resident who own 100 pigeons.

"I find it difficult to write an entire ordinance for one incident," said Trustee Mike Herlihy, who ultimately voted in favor of the ordinance.

Bruening said there may be other people out there raising pigeons who village workers don't yet know about, as well as residents raising other animals.

"We are aware of other types of animals, between chickens and flying squirrels, believe it or not," he said.

"Wait a minute, did you say flying squirrels?" Trustee Chris Faber asked, fighting laughter. After regaining his composure, he too said he favored the ordinance.

"As far as I'm concerned, 100 pigeons is 80 too many," he said.

Neighboring Aurora adopted rules about pigeons last month. Batavia, directly to the north, currently has no plans for pigeons.

The chief sponsors for the legislative change in 2009 were Democrat Rep. Linda Chapa-LaVia of Aurora, and Sen. Chris Lauzen, an Aurora Republican.