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Charleston, WV Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Scope
Entire city limits
Banned acts
Trap, hunt, shoot, molest birds
Nest protection
Robbing nests unlawful
Nuisance exception
Requires conservation-club meeting first
Adopted
Ord. No. 7266, June 18, 2007

Summary

Charleston designates the entire city a bird sanctuary, banning hunting, trapping, shooting, or nest robbing of any wild bird within city limits.

(a) The entire area embraced within the boundaries of the city is designated as a bird sanctuary. (b) It shall be unlawful to trap, hunt, shoot or attempt to shoot or molest in any manner any bird or wildfowl or to rob bird nests or wildfowl nests; however, if starlings, pigeons or similar birds are found to be congregating in such numbers in a particular locality that they constitute a nuisance or menace to health or property...such birds may be destroyed...as is deemed advisable by the health authorities under the supervision of the chief of police.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).

Full Breakdown

City Code Sec. 10-14 makes every square foot inside Charleston's boundaries a bird sanctuary. Trapping, hunting, shooting, or otherwise molesting any bird or wildfowl is unlawful citywide, and so is robbing bird or wildfowl nests. The only carve-out: if starlings, pigeons, or similar birds congregate heavily enough to become a health or property nuisance, city health authorities must first meet with the Audubon Society, Bird Club, Garden Club, or humane association before any nuisance birds can be destroyed, and then only under police supervision.

Violations & Fines

Violations are prosecuted under Sec. 10-3's enforcement provisions; nuisance-bird destruction requires health authority findings and prior notice to conservation groups, plus chief of police supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I shoot pigeons or starlings on my property in Charleston?
No. Even nuisance birds like starlings and pigeons can only be destroyed after city health authorities meet with local bird and humane groups and it's done under police supervision.
Is it illegal to disturb a bird's nest in Charleston?
Yes. Sec. 10-14 makes it unlawful to rob bird or wildfowl nests anywhere within city limits, since the whole city is designated a bird sanctuary.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Charleston

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All Charleston rules

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