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District of Columbia Code Division I. Government of District. § 10-1183. Public space amplified sound license.

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

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(a) Except as provided in this section, no person may occupy public space in the District while operating an amplified sound device without a valid license issued by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection pursuant to this section.

(b) The Department shall issue public space amplified sound licenses in the following categories:

(1) Single-day;

(2) Multiple-day, up to 14 days;

(3) One-year;  and

(4) License renewal.

(c)(1) The Department shall prescribe the form of the public space amplified sound license application.

(2) The Department may not require an applicant for a license issued pursuant to this section to provide the Department with a social security number.

(3) The Department must grant or deny an application for a public space amplified sound license within 3 business days after its receipt by the Department.

(d) The Department may only deny an application or renewal of an application for a license issued pursuant to this section if the Department determines that:

(1) The applicant furnished false information;  or

(2) A license issued to the applicant pursuant to this section was revoked within the previous 6 months.

(e) A license issued pursuant to this section shall prohibit the holder from:

(1) Occupying public space while operating an amplified sound device outside the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.;

(2) Amplifying sound on public space to a level that exceeds the lesser of the following, as measured by the Department or other District agency charged with enforcing the terms of this subchapter, in accordance with the requirements specified in Chapter 29 of Title 20 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations:

(A) 55 decibels, measured inside of the nearest residential unit an enforcement officer is given permission to enter;

(B) 65 decibels, measured inside the nearest commercial establishment;

(C) 95 decibels, measured at the source of amplification in all zones not identified in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph;

(D) 90 decibels, measured at the source of amplification in Residential Zones, Residential Flat Zones, or Residential Apartment Zones, as those terms are defined in the District of Columbia Zoning Regulations;  and

(3) Interfering with an enforcement officer's measurement of sound volume.

(f) The Department may only suspend or revoke a license issued pursuant to this section if the Department determines that:

(1) The holder furnished false information on the application;  or

(2) The holder is adjudicated to have violated the terms of the license pursuant to this subchapter.

(g) The holder of a license issued pursuant to this section shall post the license in a conspicuous place on or near the amplified sound device.

(h) A license issued pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the requirements outlined in subchapter II of Chapter 28 of Title 47.

(i) The licensing requirements of this section shall not apply to individuals or events using public space that are otherwise required by District law or regulation to obtain a permit or license from the Department or another District government agency.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - District of Columbia Code Division I. Government of District. § 10-1183. Public space amplified sound license. - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/dc/division-i-government-of-district/dc-code-sect-10-1183-02/

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