Chapter 9.41
BOWS AND ARROWS

Sections:

9.41.010    Purpose.

9.41.020    Definitions.

9.41.030    Escaping arrows prohibited.

9.41.010 Purpose.

Arrows shot from bows are inherently dangerous to life and safety. The use of bows and arrows in urbanized areas can be hazardous to neighbors in the absence of adequate precautions to assure that arrows come to rest safely upon the property from which the arrows are shot. Delineation within the provisions of this chapter of the precautions which may be required on each property to assure that arrows do not come to rest on adjacent property is impossible since the nature and extent of precautions will necessarily depend upon the size and configuration of the property involved and the proximity of neighboring homes, persons and animals in relation thereto. Accordingly, the purpose of this chapter is to impose upon the person in control of real property the duty of assuring that an arrow does not escape to adjacent property. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 456 § 1, 1981].

9.41.020 Definitions.

As used in this chapter the following words have the following meanings:

“Arrow” means a missile shot from a bow consisting of a straight, slender shaft that has a point or sharp head of stone or metal, feathers or veins fastened near the butt, and a nock to be fitted to a bow string, and any other missile of substantially similar design. As used in this chapter, “arrow” includes “quarrel.”

“Bow” means a device made of a strip of wood, metal, or other flexible material with a cord that connects the two ends so as to hold the strip bent in an arc under tension and used to propel an arrow on the string by nocking the arrow on the string and drawing it back against the tension so that upon release it is propelled through the air. As used in this chapter, “bow” includes “crossbow.”

“Crossbow” means a device having a short bow mounted crosswise near the end of a stock that resembles the stock of a rifle and that is often provided with a mechanical device by which the string is drawn back and fixed and being usually shot from the shoulder by means of a trigger that releases the string and discharges a quarrel lying in a groove in the stock.

“Occupant” means a person who has and exercises the right to use and occupy real property. As used in this chapter, “occupant” means the owner of the property unless another person has the right to use and occupy the property pursuant to an agreement which provides therefor.

“Quarrel” means a missile designed to be fired from a crossbow. As used in this chapter, “quarrel” includes, but is not limited to, an arrow. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 456 § 1, 1981].

9.41.030 Escaping arrows prohibited.

A. It is unlawful for any occupant of real property the boundaries of which are within 150 yards of any neighboring building utilized as a residence or as a barn or other outbuilding in connection with residential use to shoot with a bow from such property an arrow which escapes and lands upon adjacent property.

B. It is unlawful for any occupant of such real property to knowingly permit another person to utilize a bow and arrow upon such property, if the person permitted to utilize the bow and arrow shoots an arrow from such property which escapes and lands upon adjacent property. [Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 456 § 1, 1981].