San Joaquin County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Amplification of Sound

(a) "PERSON." The word "person" as used herein shall include the singular and the plural and shall also mean and include any person, firm, corporation, association, club, partnership, society, or any other form of association or organization.

(b) "SOUND TRUCK." The words "sound truck" as used herein shall mean any vehicle having any sound amplifying equipment mounted thereon, attached thereto, or contained therein, or used therefrom.

(c) "SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT." The words "sound amplifying equipment" as used herein shall mean any machine or device, including portable devices, for amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound. "Sound amplifying equipment" as used herein shall include both stationary and mobile equipment; 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; nor shall it be construed as including mobile or stationary sound amplifying or producing equipment used exclusively for commercial or noncommercial purposes in connection with the exhibitions of, or participation in, outdoor sports such as baseball, football, horseracing, motorcycle racing, et cetera, designed for use at the location where such sport is taking place for the benefit of the spectators and participants; nor shall it be construed as including mobile or stationary sound amplifying or producing equipment used exclusively for commercial or noncommercial purposes in indoor places which customarily use sound equipment for the events therein contained.

(Ord. 526; 2069)

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate and control noise levels within the community to preserve the public peace, health, safety, and well-being of all residents. The goal is to reduce excessive noise levels that may disturb the quiet and peaceful environment of both rural and residential areas.

(b) Definitions.

(1) "Noise." Any unwanted or harmful sound that disrupts normal activities, causes discomfort, or creates a nuisance.

(2) "Rural Area." Areas designated as agricultural or undeveloped, typically located outside central urban zones.

(3) "Residential Area." Areas designated primarily for residential dwellings, includes single-family homes, duplexes, and apartment complexes.

(4) "Violation Distance." The specified distance from which noise is prohibited from reaching a property boundary in both rural and residential areas.

(c) Regulations For Use. Non-commercial use of sound amplification equipment or music producing equipment shall be subject to the following regulations:

(1) Amplified sound and music producing equipment shall not be audible at any time within five hundred (500) feet of hospitals, schools, churches or courts while they are in session.

(2) The volume of sound may in no circumstances be audible from a distance of more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from the source in a residential area or five hundred (500) feet from the source in a rural area.

(3) Sound amplification equipment shall not be used to broadcast threats of personal injury or threats of damage to or destruction of property.

(d) Exemptions.

(1) Noise resulting from emergency activities, including police, fire, and medical emergency operations.

(2) Noise created during permitted events and business activities, through an approved county permitting process.

(Ord. 526; 2069; Ord. No. 4682, 11-18-2025)

(a) License required. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any sound truck or other sound amplifying equipment in the unincorporated area of the County of San Joaquin for commercial advertising purposes unless a license has been obtained from the Business License Collector in the office of the County Treasurer and Tax Collector. The fee for said license shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per day. A "sound truck" is defined as a vehicle equipped with a public address system and / or speakers to broadcast recorded or spoken messages or music to the public. "Sound amplifying equipment" is herein defined as equipment, including but not limited to speakers, which magnifies the volume of speech, musical instruments, musical recordings, or any other noise creating device.

(b) Application for license. The person applying for the license required under Subsection (a) shall file with the County an application in writing providing in said application the following information:

(1) Names and addresses of all persons who will use or operate the sound truck or stationary sound equipment.

(2) The purpose for which the sound truck or sound equipment will be used.

(c) Issuance of license. The County shall issue a license under Subsection (a) of this ordinance upon payment of the required license fee unless the application required in Subsection (b) reveals that the applicant will violate the regulations prescribed in Section 6-3101(c) or the provisions of some other existing county ordinance or state law.

(d) Possession and display of license. The licensee shall keep said license in the licensee's possession during the time the sound truck or sound amplifying equipment is in operation. The license shall be promptly displayed and shown to any peace officer or county official upon request.

(e) Regulations for use. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any sound truck or sound equipment for commercial sound advertising purposes in violation of the regulations set forth in Sections 6-3102(d) or 6-3102(c).

(f) Additional Regulations for sound trucks. Sound truck amplifying equipment shall not be operated for commercial purposes unless the sound truck upon which such equipment is mounted is operated at a speed of at least ten (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 (1) minute at each such stop.

(Ord. 526; 2069; Ord. No. 4682, 11-18-2025)

Notwithstanding compliance with the foregoing provisions, use of sound amplifying equipment for the dissemination of material that is slanderous, obscene, disturbing to the public peace, or that constitutes a nuisance or an incitement to riot may be punished under the provisions of other county ordinances or state and federal laws.

(Ord. 526; 2069)

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or be imprisoned not more than ninety (90) days, or both.

(Ord. 526)