Amplified music rules in Allentown, PA — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Article 710.03(C)(1) makes it a noise disturbance to operate any radio, stereo, instrument, or sound amplifier at any time so as to be audible across a real property boundary, and 710.03(C)(4) bars loudspeakers and public-address systems on public rights-of-way between 10 P.M. and 7 A.M. Public-entertainment venues are capped at 90 dBA.
Allentown regulates amplified sound chiefly through Article 710.03(C)(1), which prohibits 'operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, automobile radio, automobile stereo or high fidelity equipment or similar device' so as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary 'at any time of the day,' across a boundary when operated in or on a motor vehicle on a public right-of-way, or audible to others on a common carrier. Several special zones, West Park, Trexler Park, the Rose Garden, the Arts Park, Trout Hall grounds, and the downtown area bounded by West Linden and West Walnut Streets from North 4th to North 12th Streets, require earplugs/earphones at all times. Section 710.03(C)(4) separately bars loudspeakers and public-address systems either across a property boundary or 'between the hours of 10 P.M. and 7 A.M.' on a public right-of-way or public space. Section 710.03(E)(2) caps places of public entertainment at 90 dB(A) (slow response) unless a hearing-impairment warning sign is posted, and 710.03(E)(3) limits outdoor band concerts, block parties, carnivals and fairs to 10 dB(A) over Table 1 and to ten occasions per location per year. For liquor-licensed premises, PA's Liquor Code (47 P.S. section 4-493) generally bars sound audible beyond the property line, with Act 67 of 2022 allowing up to 75 dB(A) at the property line outside Philadelphia and Pittsburgh during set hours.
$100 violation ticket per offense (Article 710.99(A)(7)); summary conviction fine $100 to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days (710.99(A)(9)). Public-entertainment venues over 90 dBA without a posted warning sign also violate 710.03(E)(2).
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