COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

               

TO:                Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

             

FROM:         Chairman Phil Mendelson                                                                                                                                   

                                               

DATE:         July 5, 2018

 

                           

            Please place the following measures on the agenda for the July 10, 2018 Legislative Meeting:

 

• Amplified Noise Emergency Amendment Declaration Resolution of 2018
• Amplified Noise Emergency Amendment Act of 2018

 

            The purpose of the emergency act is to amend Title 20 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to regulate noise in the public space generated from electronically amplifying sound devices pursuant to an enforcement standard of plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet or more and to specify a penalty for continuing or resuming a violation of that standard following an official warning, and to clarify that a person participating in a parade, public gathering, or demonstration is exempt from the noise disturbance standard and other noise limitations.  The emergency act also prohibits the use of gas generators in the public space subject to certain exceptions.

 

Bill 22-839, the “Amplified Noise Amendment Act of 2018,” is currently under review by the Council.  However, passing these amendments on an emergency basis would allow for reasonable sound levels to be implemented and enforced during the summer months when street performer activity typically increases in the District.  Recognizing that street performances contribute to the vibrancy of our city, this bill does not discourage street musicians from playing in public spaces, it simply encourages performers to “turn it down” to a level that everyone can enjoy.  The draft bill and resolution are attached.  Please call me or Sydney Hawthorne, on my staff, if you have any questions at (202) 724-7130.

 

 

Sydney Hawthorne

Legislative Counsel

Committee of the Whole, Chairman Phil Mendelson

Council of the District of Columbia

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 410

Washington, DC 20004

Telephone: (202) 724-7130

E-mail: shawthorne@dccouncil.us

www.chairmanmendelson.com