City of Warren, PA Article III Sound Trucks and Sound-Amplifying Equipment

[Adopted 5-17-1974 by Ord. No. 1052 (Ch. 13, Part 5, of the 1997 Code of Ordinances)]

§ 313-8 Definitions and interpretation.

A. For the purpose of this article, the following words and terms shall have the meanings hereby respectively ascribed thereto:

PERSON

Any natural person, partnership, association, firm, corporation or other entity.

SOUND-AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT

Any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music or other sound. The term "sound-amplifying equipment," as used herein, shall not be construed to include:

(1) Any standard automobile radio when used and heard only by the occupants of the vehicle in which the same is installed.

(2) Warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles.

(3) Other warning devices on other vehicles when used for traffic safety purposes.

SOUND TRUCK

Any vehicle having mounted thereon or attached thereto any sound-amplifying equipment.

B. In this article, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.

§ 313-9 Operation of sound trucks for commercial purposes unlawful.

[Amended 12-12-1988 by Ord. No. 1491]

No person shall operate or cause to be operated for commercial purposes anywhere in the City of Warren any sound truck with sound-amplifying equipment in operation.

§ 313-10 Application for operation of sound truck for noncommercial purposes.

[Amended 8-20-1979 by Ord. No. 1245; 12-12-1988 by Ord. No. 1491]

No person shall use or cause to be used any sound truck with its sound-amplifying equipment in operation for any noncommercial purpose in the City of Warren until he shall have filed with the City Manager, in duplicate, a statement containing the following information:

A. The name and address of the person making the statement.

B. The address of the place of business of the person making the statement.

C. The license number of the sound truck to be used by the person making the statement.

D. The name and address of the person owning such sound truck.

E. The name and address of the person having direct charge of such sound truck.

F. The name and address of every person who is to use such sound truck within the City.

G. A general statement of the sections of the City in which such sound truck is proposed to be used.

H. The proposed hours of operation of such sound truck.

I. The days upon which such sound truck is proposed to be used within the City.

J. The purpose for which such sound truck is to be used within the City.

K. A general description of the sound-amplifying equipment to be used.

L. The maximum sound-producing power of the sound-amplifying equipment to be used in or on such sound truck, including:

(1) The wattage to be used; and

(2) The approximate maximum distance for which sound will be thrown from such sound truck.

§ 313-11 Amendment of application.

Every person using or causing to be used any sound truck for any noncommercial purpose shall amend the statement required by § 313-10 of this article within 48 hours after any change in the information therein furnished.

§ 313-12 Copy of application to be kept on sound truck and exhibited on request.

[Amended 8-20-1979 by Ord. No. 1245; 12-12-1988 by Ord. No. 1491]

The City Manager shall return to the person making the statement required under § 313-10 of this article one copy of that statement duly certified by the City Manager as a correct copy thereof. That certified copy shall be in the possession of any person operating that sound truck at all times while the sound-amplifying equipment of the truck is in operation within the City, and that copy shall be promptly exhibited to any policeman of the City upon request.

§ 313-13 Regulations applicable to noncommercial use of sound trucks.

[Amended 12-12-1988 by Ord. No. 1491]

Noncommercial use of sound trucks within the City with sound-amplifying equipment in operation shall be strictly in accordance with the following regulations:

A. The only sounds to be permitted shall be music and human speech.

B. Operation shall be prohibited at all times on Sunday and upon any other day of the week except between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., provided these restrictions as to days and hours of operation shall not apply in the case of sound trucks used for the dissemination of any emergency instructions or information.

C. Sound-amplifying equipment shall not be operated unless the sound truck upon which such equipment is mounted or installed is operated at a speed of at least 10 miles per hour except when such truck shall be stopped or impeded by traffic, in which case the sound-amplifying equipment shall not be operated for longer than one minute at such stop.

D. Sound-amplifying equipment shall not be operated within 300 feet of any hospital, school, church, public library, fire station or courthouse.

E. The human speech and the music amplified throughout such sound-amplifying device shall not be profane, lewd or indecent.

F. The volume of sound shall be controlled so that it will not be audible for a distance in excess of 200 feet from the sound truck and so that the said volume is not unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing or a nuisance to persons within the area of audibility.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 313-14 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 12-8-1997 by Ord. No. 1622]

Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $600 plus costs and, in default of payment thereof, shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues shall constitute a separate offense.