(a) No operator or passenger of a motor vehicle shall operate, or permit the operation of any sound amplification system which, when the vehicle is being operated upon a street or highway or when the vehicle is parked or stopped on public or private property, which can be heard:
(1) Outside the vehicle from fifty or more feet, or
(2) In the opinion of the Police Officer the sound is excessive so as to cause annoyance or inconvenience to persons outside the vehicle.
(3) “Sound amplification system” includes any radio, tape player, compact disc player, loud speaker or any other electronic device used for the amplification of the human voice, music or any other noise or sound.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to charge under this section that the operator was not otherwise prohibited by law from operating the sound amplification system, and that any of the following apply:
(1) The system as being operated to request medical or vehicular assistance or to warn of a hazardous road condition;
(2) The vehicle was an emergency or public safety vehicle;
(3) The vehicle was owned and operated by the City or a gas, electric, communications or water utility company;
(4) The vehicle was being used in a special event and the person or organization conducting the special event had obtained a special event permit from the appropriate City agency.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 1997-57. Passed 5-20-97.)