Chapter 9.30
PUBLIC DISTURBANCE
Sections:
9.30.010 Statutes incorporated by reference.
9.30.030 Public disturbance noises.
9.30.010 Statutes incorporated by reference.
RCW 9A.84.010 (1) (2b) Riot.
RCW 9A.84.020 Failure to disperse.
RCW 9A.84.040 False reporting.
RCW 9.05.040 Permitting premises to be used for assemblages of anarchists.
RCW 9.05.150 Publishing matter inciting breach of peace.
(Ord. 708 § 20 (part), 1991: Ord. 398 § 15.01, 1982)
9.30.020 Disorderly conduct.
A person is guilty of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, if he:
A. Uses abusive language and thereby intentionally creates a risk of assault; or
B. Wilfully annoys, molests, insults or offers an affront or indignity to any person, where such conduct intentionally creates a risk of assault or civil disturbance; or
C. Intentionally disrupts any lawful assembly or meeting of persons without lawful authority; or
D. Intentionally obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic without lawful authority; or
E. Intentionally and without lawful authority makes noise which unreasonably disturbs another; or
F. Suffers or permits in any building or place owned by him or under his control any riotous or disorderly conduct or drunkenness or fighting to the annoyance of the public; or
G. Drives or rides a horse or horses or other livestock upon any sidewalk or pedestrian path in the city, except across a sidewalk on a street; or
H. Intentionally engages in any conduct which tends to or does disturb the public peace, provoke disorder or endanger the safety of others. (Ord. 708 § 20 (part), 1991: Ord. 398 § 15.02, 1982)
9.30.030 Public disturbance noises.
A. Unless otherwise authorized by the city, it is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise.
B. The following sounds are public disturbance noises:
1. The frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle, except as a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or required by law.
2. Sounds from any domesticated animal which howls, yelps, whines, barks or makes other oral noises, in such a manner as to disturb the peace of others to an unreasonable degree.
3. Yelling, shouting, whistling or singing on or near the public streets, particularly between the hours of ten p.m. and eight a.m., or at any time and place as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace and comfort of owners or possessors of real property.
4. The creation of frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds which emanate from any building, structure, apartment or condominium, which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace and comfort of owners or possessors of real property, such as sounds from musical instruments, audio sound systems, band sessions or social gatherings.
5. Sound from motor vehicle audio sound systems, such as tape players, radios and compact disc players, operating at a volume so as to be audible greater than fifty feet from the vehicle itself.
6. Sound from portable audio equipment, such as tape players, radios and compact disc players, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than fifty feet from the source, and if not operated upon the property of the operator.
7. The squealing, screeching or other such sounds from the motor vehicle tires in contact with the ground or other roadway surface because of rapid acceleration, braking or excessive speed around corners or because of such other reason; provided, that sounds which result from action which are necessary to avoid danger shall be exempt from this section.
C. Subsections (B)(1), (2), (3), (4) and (6) of this section shall not apply to regularly scheduled events at parks, such as public address systems for baseball games or park concerts between the hours of nine a.m. and eleven p.m.
D. First violations of this chapter shall constitute a Class II civil infraction. Second violations shall constitute a Class I civil infraction. Third and subsequent violations within a thirty-six-month period shall constitute a misdemeanor and be subject to the provisions contained in Chapter 1.32, General Penalties. (Ord. 1480 § 5, 2023; Ord. 708 § 20 (part), 1991: Ord. 398 § 15.03, 1982)