Rosemead Municipal Code Ch. 12.28 Sound Amplifying Equipment

The words "sound amplifying equipment," as used in this chapter, mean 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.

(Prior code § 4148.1)

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 in writing with the City Clerk and paying the permit fee provided for in Section 12.28.050. Chambers of Commerce, civic, charitable and religious organizations are exempt from the provisions hereof as to permit fees. Sound equipment utilized in any parade for which a permit is duly issued under the provisions of this code, is exempt from the provisions of this section.

(Prior code § 4148.2)

A registration statement 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 the sound truck to be used by the applicant;

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

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

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

G. The purpose for which such sound truck will be used;

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

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

J. The number of days of proposed operation of such sound truck;

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

L. The maximum sound producing power of the sound amplifying equipment to be used:

1. The wattage to be used,

2. The approximate maximum distance at which sound from such truck will be audible.

Not more than one sound truck may be specified in one registration statement.

(Prior code § 4148.3)

Any person using or causing to be used any sound truck for noncommercial purposes shall obtain a copy of the registration statement certified by the City Clerk as a correct copy of the statement so filed. Such certified copy shall be in the possession of any person operating such sound truck at all times while such sound truck's sound amplifying equipment is in operation and such copies shall be displayed to any officer of the city upon request.

(Prior code § 4148.4)

A registration fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be paid to the City Clerk at the time of filing the registration statement provided for in Sections 12.28.020 and 12.28.030, which shall constitute payment in full of all fees required for operation of the sound truck for a period of not more than seven days, or such lesser period of time as is specified in the registration statement.

(Prior code § 4148.6)

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

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

B. Operations are permitted for not more than three hours per day on each day except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays on which no operations are permitted. The permitted three hours of operation shall be between the hours of nine a.m. and five p.m.;

C. 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 the 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;

D. Sound shall not be issued within one hundred (100) yards of hospitals, schools, churches, county buildings, or the City Hall;

E. Operations are limited for a period of not more than seven days next succeeding the date of filing the registration statement hereinabove provided for;

F. Not more than one registration statement may be filed by any person to be effective during the same period of time.

(Prior code § 4148.5)

A. 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. Application for the permission required hereunder 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.

B. The City Clerk must refer the application to the County Sheriff and may in his or her discretion rely on the decision of the County Sheriff whether the same will be inimical to public welfare, health or safety, or will disturb the peace.

(Prior code §§ 4149, 4149.1)