Some activities in City parks, other City facilities, or the public right-of-way are allowed by permit only, including use of amplified sound, road closures, and parades or processionals.
Sound
Sound
AMC 5.08.120 Loud noises and speaking devices.
No peddler, nor any person on his/her behalf, shall shout, make any outcry, or use any sound device where sound of sufficient volume is emitted or produced there from to be capable of being heard at a distance of more than 200 feet upon the streets, alleys, avenues, parks or other public places. (Ord. 5013 § 1, 1992; Ord. 2764 § 12, 1958).
AMC 7.08.050 Unnecessary noise.
It is unlawful for any person to create, assist in creating, permit, continue, or permit the continuance of any loud, disturbing, or unnecessary noise in the City. The following acts are declared to be violations of this section, but such enumerations are not deemed to be exclusive:
(1) The keeping of any animal which by frequent or loud continued noise disturbs the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity;
(2) The use of any automobile, motorcycle, streetcar, or other vehicle, any engine, stationary or moving instrument, device, or thing so out of repair, so loaded, or operated in such manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling, or other noises;
(3) The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, streetcar, or other vehicle on any street or public place of the City, except as a necessary warning or danger to property or person;
(4) The use of any mechanical device operated by compressed air, steam, or otherwise, unless the noise created thereby is effectively muffled;
(5) The erection, including excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair of any building, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except upon special permit granted by the Common Council;
(6) The use of any gong or siren upon any vehicle other than police, fire, or other emergency vehicle;
(7) The operation of any gasoline engine without having the same equipped with and using thereupon a muffler;
(8) The use of “muffler cutout” on any motor vehicle upon any street;
(9) The use or operation of any automatic or electric piano, phonograph, radio, loudspeaker, or any sound amplifying device so loudly as to disturb persons in the vicinity thereof or in such manner as renders the same a public nuisance; provided, however, that upon application to the City Manager permits may be granted to responsible persons or organizations to broadcast programs of music, news, speeches, or general entertainment;
(10) The conducting, operating, or maintaining of any garage within 100 feet of any building used as a private residence, apartment house, rooming house, or hotel in such a manner as to cause loud or offensive noises to be emitted therefrom between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The foregoing acts are declared nuisances and any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of an offense. (Ord. 4937 § 1, 1990; Ord. 3873 § 1, 1975; Ord. 2823 § 43, 1958).
AMC 7.08.052 Sound amplifying paging systems
(1) For purposes of this chapter, a “sound amplifying paging system” is defined as any device which amplifies any sound from which a person may obtain the information that he or she is receiving a telephone call or from which he or she may receive directions from another person. “Sound amplifying paging system” does not include any sound amplification device used by any law enforcement agency, fire department, or other unit of government that uses such device in connection with law enforcement or public safety function. For purposes of this chapter, “plainly audible” is defined as any sound which can be heard outside of any building by the human ear 20 feet or more from the source of such sound.
(2) It shall be unlawful to operate or permit the use or operation of any sound amplifying paging system which produces a plainly audible sound except as provided herein.
(3) Operation of sound amplifying paging systems shall be permitted from the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. so long as the volume of sound shall not exceed 65 decibels at any property line which is under the control of the operator of the system and is contiguous to the property upon which the sound amplifying paging system is located.
(4) It shall be unlawful to operate any sound amplifying paging system which is plainly audible between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
(5) This section applies only to amplified sound or speech. It does not apply to the unamplified human voice. (Ord. 4998 § 1, 1992).
Road Closure
Road Closure
Temporary Use of Right-of-Way AMC 13.33
No person or persons shall obstruct or make use of a public street, sidewalk, or other right-of-way for the purpose of a public or private gathering, parade or processional, display advertising, offering of services, food or other merchandise, promotional event or making use of a public right-of-way which would limit the unobstructed use of such by the general public, without first obtaining a temporary right-of-way permit. (Ord. 4525 § 1, 1982).
Parade / Processional AMC 13.32.020
No procession or parade, except a funeral procession, the forces of the United States Armed Forces, and the military forces of this State, shall occupy, march, or proceed along any street except in accordance with a temporary right-of-way permit. The permit may be granted where it is found that the parade is not to be held for any unlawful purpose and will not in any manner tend to a breach of the peace, cause damage, or unreasonably interfere with the public use of the streets, or the peace and quiet of the inhabitants of this City. (Ord. 4524 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2751 § 28, 1957).
Temporary Right-of-Way (ROW) Sign Permit, Albany Development Code, Article 13.320
Signs placed within the public right-of-way are subject only to the limitations and provisions of AMC Chapter 13.33 and the issuance of a temporary Right-of-Way Use Permit.
