Chapter 11.64
SOUND TRUCKS
Sections:
11.64.020 Permit – Application.
11.64.040 Regulation of noncommercial use.
11.64.050 Cancellation of permit for violations.
11.64.060 Commercial advertising prohibited.
11.64.070 Penalty for violation.
11.64.010 Permit – Required.
No person shall use any sound-amplifying device, recorded music or radio in or from any vehicle on any street or highway for the purpose of attracting the attention of persons to the sounds issued therefrom (excluding factory horn) except after receiving a permit from the chief of police. [Ord. 332 § 5, 1975; prior code § 63.12.210(a).]
11.64.020 Permit – Application.
Each person desiring to use a sound truck with its sound-amplifying equipment in operation for noncommercial purposes in the borough shall make application to, and be issued a permit by, the chief of police if the application indicates that the applicant’s proposed operation meets the requirements and regulations of this chapter and if the application contains the following information:
A. Name and home address of the applicant;
B. Address of place of business of applicant;
C. License number and motor number of the sound truck to be used by applicant;
D. Name and address of person who owns the sound truck;
E. Name and address of person having direct charge of sound truck;
F. Names and addresses of all persons who will use or operate the sound truck;
G. The purpose for which the sound truck will be used;
H. A general statement as to the section or sections of the borough in which the sound truck will be used;
I. The proposed hours of operation of the sound truck;
J. The number of days of proposed operation of the sound truck;
K. A general description of the sound-amplifying equipment which is to be used;
L. The maximum sound-producing power of the sound-amplifying equipment to be used in or on the sound truck, state the following:
1. The wattage to be used;
2. The approximate maximum distance at which the sound will be audible from the sound truck. [Ord. 332 § 5, 1975; prior code § 63.12.210(b).]
11.64.030 Permit – Issuance.
Within three business days of the receipt of the application, the chief of police must either approve the application and issue the permit or disapprove the application and provide the applicant a statement of the reasons for disapproval. Failure of the chief to take final action on the application within three business days of the receipt of the application shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions or regulations of this code. [Ord. 332 § 5, 1975; prior code § 63.12.210(c).]
11.64.040 Regulation of noncommercial use.
Noncommercial use of sound trucks in the borough with sound-amplifying equipment in operation shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. The only sounds permitted are music or human speech.
B. Operations are permitted for four hours each day, except on Sundays and legal holidays when no operations shall be authorized. The permitted four hours of operation shall be between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
C. Sound-amplifying equipment shall be discontinued when the truck upon which such equipment is mounted is stopped or impeded by traffic.
D. Sound shall not be issued within 100 yards of hospitals, schools, churches holding services, or courthouses.
E. The human speech and music amplified shall not be slanderous.
F. The volume of sound shall be controlled so that it will not be audible for a distance in excess of 100 feet from the sound truck and so that said volume is not unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing, or a nuisance to persons within the area of audibility.
G. No sound-amplifying equipment shall be operated with an excess of 10 watts of power input to the last stage of amplification. [Ord. 332 § 5, 1975; prior code § 63.12.210(d).]
11.64.050 Cancellation of permit for violations.
Any operation of a sound truck in violation of the terms of the application or in violation of this chapter constitutes grounds for cancellation of a permit issued under this chapter. [Ord. 332 § 5, 1975; prior code § 63.12.210(e).]
11.64.060 Commercial advertising prohibited.
No person shall operate, or cause to be operated, any sound truck for commercial sound advertising purposes in the borough with the sound-amplifying equipment in operation. [Ord. 332 § 5, 1975; prior code § 63.12.210(f).]
11.64.070 Penalty for violation.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter is guilty of an infraction and shall be punished by the fine established in the WMC 1.20.050 fine schedule if the offense is listed in that fine schedule or by a fine of up to $500.00 if the offense is not listed in the WMC 1.20.050 fine schedule. [Ord. 910 § 24, 2015.]