§ 13-1-26. Noise—mechanical loudspeakers.

The use of mechanical loudspeakers or amplifiers on trucks or other moving vehicles or in mercantile establishments for advertising or other purposes shall be unlawful; provided however, that the use of mechanical loudspeakers or amplifiers shall not be unlawful if a permit for such use is first obtained as provided in this section. All permits shall be subject to the following provisions:

(1)

The only sounds permitted are music or human speech.

(2)

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.

(3)

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

(4)

Sound shall not be issued within 100 yards of hospitals, schools, churches or courthouses.

(5)

The human speech and music amplified shall not be profane, lewd, indecent or slanderous.

(6)

The volume of sound shall be controlled so that it will not be audible for a distance in excess of 50 feet from the sound truck and so that the volume is not unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing or a nuisance to persons within the area of audibility.

(7)

No sound-amplifying equipment shall be operated in excess of 15 watts of power in the last stage of amplification.

(8)

Sound-amplifying equipment in operation on a sound truck shall be subject to inspection by a member of the police department at reasonable times. (Code 1963, Sec. 23-30)

Cross Reference: Permit for operating loudspeakers from aircraft flying over city, Sec. 9-2-12.