Outdoor amplified music must meet Sec. 20-5(b)(1) caps, with the Sec. 20-6 special permit and Chapter 29.6 Special Event Permit framework as the legal paths to exceed those caps. Sec. 20-7(21) exempts road festivals, parades, fireworks displays, and special events for which an appropriate City permit has been obtained.
Sarasota's Sec. 20-7(21) creates a clear special-event carve-out: 'Road festivals, parades, fireworks displays and special events for which an appropriate permit has been obtained from the city' are exempt from the Ch. 20 caps, provided the activity is within the permitted area (including contiguous private property along closed rights-of-way) and complies with permit conditions. Sec. 20-7(22) extends this to festivals/events on public parks or beaches permitted by the city. Special event permits are governed by Chapter 29.6 - applications go through the City Auditor and Clerk and the Special Events Office. Sec. 20-7(17) also exempts amplified sound on property controlled by a governmental agency during governmental sponsored activities.
Exceeding permit conditions or operating without a permit is a Sec. 20-9 municipal code violation - up to $500 per offense, daily violations chargeable separately. Sec. 20-6(f) makes any permit-condition violation a Ch. 20 violation independently.
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