Richmond Municipal Code Ch. 7.64 Sound Trucks and Public Address Systems

For the purpose of this chapter, a "sound amplifier" is defined as any mechanically operated instrument or device, and all parts or accessories connected thereto, which amplifies or increases the volume of sound by the use of electricity (alternate or direct current), when used separately or in connection with any phonograph, compact disc player, cassette deck player, radio or television or combination thereof, or similar sound-producing instrument or device, and includes, among other things, public-address systems, loudspeakers, sound trucks or vehicles with loudspeakers, but does not include: (a) a compact disc player, cassette deck player, radio or television or combination thereof when the sound is not audible at a distance in excess of 30 feet from the source of the sound amplifier, but in no event, shall the sound be audible at the property line of the residences, churches, hospitals, institutions or schools requesting the zone of quiet, or (b) standard motor vehicle radio when the sound is audible only within the motor vehicle.

(Amended by Ordinance No. 14-95 N.S.)

It is unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation to use or operate, or permit to be used or operated out of doors, or indoors when used or operated to reach persons out of doors, any sound amplified as defined in Section 7.64.010 in any part of the city without a permit from the Chief of Police granted upon application in writing therefor. Such application shall set forth the name and address of the applicant, the location or locations or route or routes at which or over which applicant proposes to operate such sound amplifier or sound amplifiers, the purpose for which such sound amplifier or sound amplifers will be used, the proposed hours of operation, and the number of days of proposed operation. Said permit shall be granted unless it shall appear to the Chief of Police that use or operation of such sound amplifier shall be or is objectionable to or shall disturb the public peace; any permit granted hereunder may be revoked by the Chief of Police whenever such sound amplifier shall be or become objectionable to or shall disturb the public peace. The Chief of Police, in issuing such permit, shall specify the hours of operation and the exact days of operation.

(Amended by Ordinance No. 1799.)

Any person, firm, association or corporation aggrieved by the action of the Chief of Police in granting, denying or revoking a permit hereunder may, within ten days after the action of the Chief of Police, appeal to the City Council for a hearing thereon, and the decision of the City Council in such matter shall be final.

(Added by Ordinance No. 1799.)

It shall be unlawful for any person to use or operate, or permit the use or operation of any sound amplifier out of doors, or indoors when used or operated to reach persons out of doors, within any zone of quiet established by resolution of the council of the City of Richmond, provided that signs are erected indicating the existence of such zone of quiet.

The council of the City of Richmond, for the purpose of preventing disturbance to the occupants of residences, churches, hospitals, institutions, or the students or faculties of said schools or educational institutions, may establish by resolution, zones of quiet adjacent to such residences, churches, hospitals, institutions reserved for the sick, office or offices, schools and educational institutions, when occupants of residences or the superintendent or chief executive officer of such church or institution, or the executive head or manager of such office or offices requests the establishment of such zones.

The resolution establishing a zone of quiet shall describe the extent of said zone of quiet.

Upon the establishment of such zones of quiet, the chief of police is hereby authorized to install and maintain appropriate signs to indicate the existence of said zones, provided that the expense of such installation and maintenance is to be paid by the institution or person or persons making such request, prior to such installation.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the use or operation of any sound amplifier by any police or fire department or law enforcement officer, nor to the use by any hospital, church, school or educational institution, when used and operated upon property owned or controlled by said hospital, church, school or educational institution.

(Source: Ordinance No. 1107.)