337.30 LOUD SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS PROHIBITED.

   (a)   No person operating, occupying, or in control of a motor vehicle on a street, highway, alley, parking lot, driveway, or any other public or private place, shall operate or permit the operation of any sound amplification system upon or from within the vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 25 or more feet from the vehicle.

   (b)   “Sound application system” means any radio, tape player, compact disc player, loud speaker or other electronic device used for the amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound.

   (c)   “Plainly audible” means any human voice, music or any other sound produced by a sound amplification system upon or from within the vehicle which clearly can be heard at a distance of 25 feet or more. Measurement standards shall be by human auditory senses based upon direct line of sight. Words or phrases need not be discernible and bass reverberations are included. The motor vehicle may be stopped, standing, parked or moving on a street, highway, alley, parking lot or driveway.

   (d)   This section does not apply to the operation of a sound amplification system if any of the following apply:

      (1)   The vehicle is an emergency or public safety vehicle;

      (2)   The vehicle is owned and operated by the City of Fairfield, or a gas, electric or communications company;

      (3)   The vehicle is used in authorized public activities such as parades, fireworks, sports events, musical productions and other activities which have the approval of the appropriate officer of the City authorized to grant such approval.

   (e)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(Ord. 87-05. Passed 5-9-05.)