Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 9.56 prohibits aiming amplified, transmitted, or recorded sound at the public right-of-way from a business and subjects all outdoor music to the dBA limits of SMC § 9.56.040. Outdoor music events above those limits require a permit under SMC § 9.56.060.
Chapter 9.56 contains a specific prohibition against businesses adjacent to a public right-of-way directing amplified, transmitted, or recorded sound toward that right-of-way. This rule targets bars, restaurants, and tasting rooms on or near the Plaza that might broadcast music or amplified speech onto Broadway, First Street West, or surrounding sidewalks. Independent of that prohibition, all outdoor music must comply with the dBA limits in SMC § 9.56.040 (65 dBA intermittent / 55 dBA constant on commercial property, more restrictive on residential). Events that exceed Table 1 — Plaza concerts, winery weddings, tasting-room patios with live bands — may obtain authorization through the permit process in SMC § 9.56.060. The city's Plaza events are typically permitted by the City Manager through a special event permit that includes noise conditions.
Code Enforcement and Sonoma PD can issue citations for noise above the SMC § 9.56.040 thresholds and for directing amplified sound at the right-of-way. Operating without a required SMC § 9.56.060 permit is itself a violation. Penalties follow SMC Title 1 general penalty provisions; repeat violations can affect a business's use permit or alcoholic beverage license review with the state ABC.
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