Chapter 48 – Noise Pollution

48.06 SOUND EQUIPMENT AND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT. 1. No person may use, operate, or cause to be used or operated any radio, record player, tape deck or player, loudspeaker, amplifier, sound truck, or other device for producing, reproducing, or amplifying sound (hereinafter referred to as “sound equipment”) upon the public streets or in any building or upon any premises, public or private, if the sound created is plainly audible across a residential real property boundary from any public street or public place within the City, unless said person: A. First obtains written permission from the City Council in accordance with this chapter; B. Complies with any conditions imposed by the written permission, including the maximum permitted sound level shown therein; and C. Complies with all other applicable provisions of this chapter. 2. Sound equipment does not include: A. Equipment used for political advertisements. B. Equipment used for public health and safety purposes. C. Church or clock carillons, bells, or chimes. D. Parades, processions, or other public events for which a parade or other permit has been issued, provided the conditions of the permit are complied with. E. Automobile radios, tape decks or players or other standard automobile equipment being used by the occupants, provided the sound emitted is not plainly audible for more than 50 feet from the vehicle. F. Recorded music used in a nonresidential zone in conjunction with a civil or religious celebration. G. Un-amplified live music, provided it is sponsored or funded, in whole or in part, by a governmental entity. H. Mobile radio or telephone signaling devices. I. Car or truck horns or similar devices when used to denote danger or a warning or possible danger. 3. Obtaining Permission from Council. In order to obtain written permission required herein, a request must be made, in writing, to the Clerk and any information which the City may require shall be provided. If the request contains the required information and the proposed use complies with the requirements of this chapter, the Clerk will place the request on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. 4. Types of Permits; Standards. A. Type A Permit. A Type A permit may be issued for sound equipment emitting music or human speech registering not more than 60 dB(A)s when the sound level is measured at the real property boundary of the private residence nearest the sound equipment and measuring not more than 100 dB(A)s at a distance of 50 feet from the sound equipment. Sound equipment permitted under a Type A permit may be used only in areas of the City zoned for nonresidential and only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.