Downey Municipal Code Ch. 7 Sound Trucks

For the purposes of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined and shall be construed as herein set forth, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.

(Added by Ord. 91, adopted 5-12-58)

"Sound truck" shall mean any motor vehicle or horse-drawn vehicle having mounted thereon, or attached thereto, any sound amplifying equipment.

(Added by Ord. 91, adopted 5-12-58)

"Sound amplifying equipment" shall mean any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound. "Sound amplifying equipment" shall not be construed as including standard automobile radios, when used and heard only by the 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.

(Added by Ord. 91, adopted 5-12-58)

No person shall use, or cause to be used, a sound truck with its sound amplifying equipment in operation for noncommercial purposes in the City before filing a registration statement with the Chief of Police in writing. Such registration statement shall be filed in duplicate and shall state the following:

(1) The name and home address of the applicant;

(2) The address of the place of business of the applicant;

(3) The license number and motor number of the sound truck to be used by the applicant;

(4) The name and address of the person who owns the sound truck;

(5) The name and address of the person having the direct charge of the sound truck;

(6) The names and addresses of all persons who will use or operate the sound truck;

(7) The purpose for which the sound truck will be used;

(8) A general statement as to the sections of the City in which the sound truck will be used;

(9) The proposed hours of operation of the sound truck;

(10) The number of days of proposed operation of the sound truck;

(11) A general description of the sound amplifying equipment which is to be used.

(12) The maximum sound producing power of the sound amplifying equipment to be used in or on the sound truck. State the following:

(a) The wattage to be used.

(b) The volume in decibels of the sound which will be produced.

(c) The approximate maximum distance for which sound will be thrown from the sound truck.

All persons using or causing to be used, sound trucks for non-commercial purposes shall amend any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 4701 (a) within 48 hours after any change in the information therein furnished.

(Added by Ord. 91, adopted 5-12-58)

The Chief of Police shall return to each applicant one copy of said registration statement only certified as a correct copy of said application. Said certified copy of the application shall be in the possession of any person operating the sound truck at all times while the sound truck's sound amplifying equipment is in operation and said copy shall be promptly displayed and shown to any policemen of the City upon request.

(Added by Ord. 91, adopted 5-12-58)

Non-commercial use of sound trucks in the City with sound amplifying equipment in operation shall be subject to the following regulations:

(1) The only sounds permitted are music or human speech.

(2) Operations are permitted for four hours each day, except on Sundays and legal holidays when no operations shall be authorized. The permitted four hours of operation shall be between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m..

(3) 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 10 miles per hour except when said truck is stopped or impeded by traffic. Where stopped by traffic the said sound amplifying equipment shall not be operated for longer than one minute at each such stop.

(4) Sound shall not be issued within 100 yards of hospitals, schools, churches, or courthouses.

(5) No sound truck with its amplifying device in operation shall be operated on any street within the City except on those street or portions of streets designated by the Chief of Police, which said designation shall be based upon the interest of the public in the facilitation of traffic movement within the City.

(6) The human speech and music amplified shall not be profane, lewd, indecent, or slanderous.

(7) The volume of sound shall be controlled so that it will not be audible for a distance in excess of 100 feet from the sound truck and so that said volume is not unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing, or a nuisance to persons within the area of audibility.

(8) No sound amplifying equipment shall be operated with an excess of 15 watts of power in the last stage of amplification.

(Added by Ord. 91, adopted 5-12-58)

No person shall operate, or cause to be operated, any sound truck for commercial sound advertising purposes in the City with sound amplifying equipment in operation.

(Added by Ord. 91, adopted 5-12-58)