Columbus, Nebraska

"90.060 PERMIT REQUIRED.
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the City to own, to allow to be in or upon any premises occupied by that person or under that person's charge or control or otherwise keep, hold, maintain or bring into the City any wild or exotic animal, unless the person is owning, keeping or holding the animal for the purpose of producing fur for sale; for the purpose of producing breeding stock for sale; or for keeping the animal as a pet. This section shall not apply to any City, State or Federal zoo, park, refuge or wildlife area or to any bona fide circus or traveling animal exhibit.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the City who owns, keeps, holds or otherwise maintains any wild or exotic animal for the purpose of producing fur for sale; for the purpose of producing breeding stock for sale; or for keeping of the animal as a pet, to own, to allow to be in or upon any premises occupied by that person or under that person's charge or control or to otherwise keep, hold, maintain or bring into the City the animal(s) without first obtaining a permit issued by the City Council." [1]


Then in the next section they discribe the process of getting a permit:

"90.061 PERMIT APPLICATION.
To obtain a permit, a person must file with an Animal Control Officer an application for a permit. The application may be granted and permit given only after the following occur:

(A) The person desiring the permit pays any application fee and administrative fee as set by resolution.

(B) A public hearing before the City Council on the application will be scheduled by the City Clerk's office.

(C) Notice of public hearing on the application is published at least one week prior to the meeting of the City Council during which the application will be heard. The publication cost will be paid by the applicant prior to receiving permit. Actual notice of the application and the time and date of the public hearing shall be given by the applicant to occupants of residences and managers of multi-family dwellings within 300 feet of the location for which the permit is requested. Each applicant shall file a written statement declaring that proper notices have been given as required in this division with the City Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the City Council hearing.

(D) It appears to a majority of the City Council following a public hearing that granting the permit would not create a nuisance or cause for public safety or concern; the applicant is a fit and proper person or entity to maintain, keep and hold the wild or exotic animal(s) which the applicant seeks to own, to allow to be in or upon any premises occupied by the applicant or under the applicant's charge or control or to bring into the corporate limits of the City." [2]

"90.062 PUBLIC HEARING.
During the public hearing the following must occur.

(A) The applicant must, at minimum, explain the purpose for seeking the application, declare the number of animals to be kept under the permit and demonstrate how the wild or exotic animal(s) will be maintained, kept, held and controlled.

(B) Members of the public shall be allowed to object and show cause why the application should not be granted." [3]

References:
[1] amlegal.com Columbus City Code 90.060
[2] amlegal.com: Columbus City Code 90.061
[3] amlegal.com: Columbus City Code 90.062

This page last modified: 03-04-2007

While effort is made to keep the information listed here about the existence of laws and ordinances updated, NebraskaServal is not responsible if the information here is incorrect. It is YOUR responsibility to check and be aware of all the laws and regulations governing you and the animal(s) you own at all levels of government--before you bring them home. And remember: even if local laws appear to allow the keeping of an exotic cat, Nebraska State law currently still prohibits it.