San Ramon Municipal Code Art. 3 Amplified Sound

The sole purpose of this article is to secure and promote the public health, comfort, safety and welfare. While recognizing that the use of sound-amplifying equipment is protected by the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and assembly, the council nevertheless feels obligated to reasonably regulate the use of sound-amplifying equipment in order to protect the correlative constitutional rights of the citizens of this community to privacy and freedom from public nuisance of loud and unnecessary noise. (Prior code § B7-195)

It is unlawful for a person, other than a peace officer, to install, use or operate a loudspeaker or sound- amplifying equipment in a fixed or movable position or mounted upon a sound truck for the purpose of giving an instruction, direction, talk, address, lecture or transmitting music to a person in or upon a street, alley, sidewalk, park, place or public property without first filing a registration statement and obtaining approval as set forth in Section B6-113 of this article. (Prior code § B7-196)

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 169

A. Every user of sound-amplifying equipment shall file a registration statement with the city manager or his/her designee ten days before the date on which the sound-amplifying equipment is intended to be used. The statement shall contain the following information: 1. The name, address and telephone number of both the owner and user of the sound- amplifying equipment; 2. The wattage to be used, and the approximate distance for which sound will be audible from the sound-amplifying equipment; 3. The license and motor number, if a sound truck is to be used; 4. A general description of the sound-amplifying equipment which is to be used; 5. Whether the sound-amplifying equipment will be used for commercial or noncommercial purposes; and 6. Whether measures to reduce noise to neighbors have been considered and will be implemented. B. The city manager or his/her designee shall return to the applicant an approved certified copy of the registration statement unless it finds that: 1. The conditions of the motor vehicle movement are such that in the opinion of the city manager or his/her designee use of the equipment would constitute a detriment to traffic safety; 2. The conditions of pedestrian movement are such that use of the equipment would constitute a detriment to traffic safety; 3. The registration statement required reveals that the application would violate Section 415 PC of the Penal Code. C. If the registration statement is disapproved, the city manager or his/her designee shall endorse upon the statement the reason for disapproval and return it promptly to the applicant. (Prior code § B7-197)

The fees for filing a registration statement for commercial or noncommercial purposes is as fixed by resolution of the city council. (Prior code § B7-199)

The commercial or noncommercial use of sound-amplifying equipment is subject to the following regulations: A. The only sounds permitted shall be either music or human speech, or both. B. The operation of sound-amplifying equipment shall occur only between the hours of eight a.m. and ten p.m. each day. No operation of sound-amplifying equipment for commercial purposes is permitted on Saturdays and Sundays or legal holidays. C. Sound-amplifying equipment may not be operated within two hundred feet of a church, school, hospital, or city or county building, except under the direction of such church, school, hospital, or city or county building. D. The volume of sound shall be so controlled that it is not unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing or a nuisance to a reasonable person. (Prior code § B7-200)

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 170

Persons who are dissatisfied with the findings of the city manager or his/her designee may appeal to the city council by means of filing a statement stating the reason for requesting reconsideration. (Prior code § B7-198)

B6-117 through B6-120. - Reserved.