Anderson Municipal Code Ch. 5.80 Sound Truck and Handbill Regulation

A. "Sound-amplifying equipment," as used in this chapter, means any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound. "Sound-amplifying equipment," as used in this chapter, shall not be construed as including standard automobile radios when used and heard only by occupants of the vehicle in which installed, or warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles or horns or other warning devices on other vehicles used only for traffic safety purposes.

B. "Sound truck," as used in this chapter, means any motor vehicle, horse-drawn vehicle or other vehicle having mounted thereon, or attached thereto, any sound-amplifying equipment.

(Prior code §§ 3.1, 3.2)

No person shall use or cause to be used a sound truck with its sound-amplifying equipment in operation for any noncommercial purpose in the city without filing a registration statement with the city clerk in writing. A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall constitute an infraction, punishable as set forth in Section 1.20.010 of this code.

(Ord. 444 § 2 (part), 1981; prior code § 3.3)

The registration statement required by Section 5.80.020 shall be filed in duplicate and shall state the following:

A. Name and home address of the applicant;

B. Address of place of business of the applicant;

C. License number and motor number of each sound truck to be used by the applicant;

D. Name and address of person who owns each sound truck to be used by the applicant;

E. Name and address of person having direct charge of each sound truck to be used by the applicant;

F. Names and addresses of all persons who will use or operate any sound truck;

G. The purpose for which the sound truck or trucks will be used;

H. A general statement as to the section or sections of the city in which each sound truck will be used;

I. The proposed hours of operation of each sound truck;

J. The number of days of proposed operation of each sound truck

K. A general description of the sound-amplifying equipment which is to be used;

L. The maximum sound producing power of the sound-amplifying equipment which is to be used in or on each sound truck. The following shall be stated:

1. The wattage to be used,

2. The approximate maximum distance for which sound will be thrown from each sound truck.

(Prior code § 3.4)

All persons using or causing to be used any sound truck for noncommercial purposes shall amend any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 5.80.030 within forty-eight hours after any change in the information therein furnished. A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall constitute an infraction, punishable as set forth in Section 1.20.010 of this code.

(Ord. 444 § 2 (part), 1981; prior code § 3.5)

The city clerk shall return to each person filing an application pursuant to Section 5.80.030 one copy of the registration statement duly certified by the city clerk as a correct copy. Such certified copy of the application shall be in the possession of any person operating any sound truck at all times while the sound truck's sound-amplifying equipment is in operation and the copy shall be displayed and shown to any policeman upon request.

(Prior code § 3.6)

Noncommercial use of sound trucks in the city with sound-amplifying equipment in operation shall be subject to the following regulations:

A. The only sounds permitted are music or human speech.

B. Sound-amplifying equipment shall not be operated unless the sound truck upon which such equipment is mounted is operated at a speed of at least ten miles per hour except when such truck is stopped or impeded by traffic. Where stopped by traffic, the sound-amplifying equipment shall not be operated for longer than one minute at each such stop.

C. Sound shall not be issued within one hundred yards of hospitals, schools, churches, courthouses or courtrooms, or county buildings, or the City Hall.

(Prior code § 3.7)

No person at any time shall operate, drive or park or cause to be operated, driven or parked upon any street, alley, parkway, sidewalk or public property within the city, without first obtaining written permission therefor from the city clerk, any advertising vehicle, sound truck or commercial vehicle with its sound-amplifying equipment in operation or with any sound or signaling device in operation for the purpose of advertising goods, wares or merchandise sold at or from such vehicle or for the purpose of attracting or calling attention to such vehicle. A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall constitute an infraction, punishable as set forth in Section 1.20.010 of this code.

(Ord. 444 § 2 (part), 1981; prior code § 3.8)

Application for the permission required by this article shall be made to the city clerk in accordance with such rules and regulations as he may prescribe therefor and such permission shall be given only if the operation of any such advertising vehicle, sound truck or commercial vehicle will not be inimical to the public welfare, health or safety or cause such sounds or noises to be emitted or created as will disturb the peace of the citizens of the city.

(Prior code § 3.9)

The city clerk must refer the application to the sheriff and may in his discretion rely on the decision of the sheriff whether the same will be inimical to public welfare, health or safety or will disturb the peace.

(Prior code § 3.10)

A. No person shall distribute, scatter, hand out or circulate any commercial handbill, circular, tract or leaflet in any place or under any circumstances which does not have printed on the cover, front or back thereof the name and address of:

1. The person who caused the same to be printed, written, compiled or manufactured;

2. The person who caused the same to be distributed.

B. In the event the person who caused the same to be printed, written, compiled, manufactured or distributed is a fictitious person or club, there shall appear on such handbill, circular, tract or leaflet, in addition to such fictitious name, the true name of the owner, manager or agent of the person sponsoring such handbill.

C. A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall constitute an infraction, punishable as set forth in Section 1.20.010 of this code.

(Ord. 444 § 2 (part), 1981; Ord. 314 § 1(A), 1974; prior code § 3.11)