(a) The following are declared to be nuisances and are hereby prohibited:
(1) Horns and signal devices. The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus, train or other vehicle while not in motion, except as a danger signal or to give a warning of intent to get into motion or, if in motion, only as a danger signal after or as brakes are being applied and deceleration of the vehicle has begun; the creation by means of such signal devices of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound; and the sounding of any signal device for any unreasonable or unnecessary period of time;
(2) Radio; television; musical instruments. The playing of any radio, phonograph, television set or musical instrument in such manner or with such volume, between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day, or at any other time, so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling, hotel, hospital, other type of residence or office, or of persons in the vicinity; and, except as provided in subsection (b) hereof, the playing at any time of any radio, phonograph or television on any premises outside of a building or the playing of any radio or phonograph installed in a building or automobile, or a public address system or other device, so that it may be heard in the street;
(3) Shouting and whistling. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, singing or making any loud noises on the public streets between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day, or making any such noise at any time so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, dwelling, hotel, hospital or other type of residence, or of persons in the vicinity;
(4) Hawking. The hawking of goods, merchandise or newspapers in a loud or boisterous manner;
(5) Animals and birds. The keeping of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of persons in the vicinity;
(6) Whistles or sirens. The blowing of any whistle or siren, except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of fire or danger;
(7) Engine exhaust. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motor vehicle, except through a muffler or other device which effectively prevents loud or explosive noises therefrom;
(8) Construction noises. The erection (including excavation therefor), demolition, alteration or repair of any building, and the excavation of streets and highways on Sundays, and on other days except between 7:00 a.m., and 8:00 p.m., unless a permit therefor is first obtained from the Superintendent of Public Works;
(9) Handling merchandise. The creation of loud and excessive noise in connection with loading and unloading any vehicle or the opening and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers;
(10) Sound amplifiers. The use of any drum, loudspeaker, amplifier or other instrument or device for the purpose of attracting attention for any purpose; and (1979 Code Sec. 8.20.050)
(11) Radios and electronically amplified sound systems in motor vehicles. The operation, or permitting the operation, of a radio and/or electronically amplified sound system in, on or from any motor vehicle so as to produce sound that is clearly audible more than twenty-five feet from the vehicle.
A. This subsection shall make no distinction between parked and moving motor vehicles.
B. This subsection shall not apply to emergency vehicles or those vehicles emitting a warning sound necessary for the protection of public safety.
(Res. 92-449. Passed 6-29-92.)
(b) None of the prohibitions of subsection (a) hereof shall apply or be enforced against the following:
(1) Emergency vehicles. Any police or fire vehicle or any ambulance while engaged upon necessary emergency business;
(2) Highway and utility maintenance and construction. Necessary excavations in or repairs of bridges, streets or highways, or any public utility installation by or on behalf of the City, any public utility or any agency of the State during the night or on Sunday, when the public safety, welfare and convenience necessitate the performance of the work at such time;
(3) Public addresses. The reasonable use of stationary amplifiers or loudspeakers for public addresses which are noncommercial in character;
(4) Sacred music. The use of sound amplifiers or other such devices by churches or other organizations approved by Council to broadcast Christmas or Easter music not to exceed fifteen days prior to Christmas Day and seven days prior to Easter Day, and the ringing of church bells and chimes and the giving of chime concerts between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; and
(5) Religious, educational and recreational broadcasts. The use of public address systems and other sound amplifiers outside of buildings or upon sound trucks between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. for religious, educational and recreational purposes. However, no such sound amplifiers shall be used unless a permit therefor is issued by the Chief of Police upon the following conditions:
A. Permits will be issued only for matters of religious, educational, recreational and charitable purposes.
B. Permits will be issued for not more than two hours in any one-half day, and the use of such equipment will not be permitted after 9:00 p.m. except for unusual and extraordinary occasions.
C. Permits will not be issued for sound truck operations on Sunday, Thanksgiving or Christmas.
D. Sound trucks shall not operate within 300 feet of hospital or within 300 feet of a school during school hours.
E. Sound from such equipment shall be so regulated that it may be heard by people on the streets and will not create a nuisance.
(1979 Code Sec. 8.20.050)