Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee Memorandum
TO: THE SAFETY, WELLNESS, AND YOUTH DATE: APRIL 16, 2025
COMMITTEE
FROM: CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE AMENDING RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD SECTION 7.10.091, “LIVE PERFORMANCE” ISSUE:
To ensure that City of Riverside personnel are best supported when responding to live music and noise disturbances from sound amplifying equipment, and to ensure that they are guided when enforcing newly added Riverside Municipal Code Section 7.35.010(D), it is necessary to define what type of activity would constitute a “live performance” in relation to noise violations within the City.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee:
Receive the following report and presentation proposing an amendment to the Riverside Municipal Code in order to add Section 7.10.091, “Live Performance”; Make a motion to refer the following report and presentation to the City Council to adopt an ordinance amending the Riverside Municipal Code adding Section 7.10.091, “Live Performance.” BACKGROUND:
On February 25, 2025, an ordinance was introduced to the City Council and passed via the consent calendar. The ordinance included amendments to portions of Title 7 of the Riverside Municipal Code (Noise Control). One of those amendments was newly added Section 7.35.010(D), which states: “The emitting or transmitting of any loud music or noise disturbance from any sound amplifying equipment or live performance, which is plainly audible from a distance of 25 feet or more from the edge of the property, structure, or unit from which the source is located, shall be prohibited.” DISCUSSION:
Currently, Section 7.10.185 of the Riverside Municipal Code (“RMC”) defines the term “sound amplifying equipment.” However, there is currently no definition within Chapter 7.10 to define the term “live performance.” In order for City of Riverside personnel and law enforcement to better understand what type of “live performance” noise disturbances are enforceable pursuant to RMC Section 7.35.010(D), it is necessary to define what type of activity can be considered a “live performance.” This proposed amendment would add RMC Section 7.10.091 to Chapter 7.10 in order to define what type of activities would be considered a “live performance.” The proposed amendment indicates that a “live performance” can be defined as “any presentation or act designed to amuse or divert the attention of guests, patrons, attendees, or any present individuals” at the location hosting the “live performance.” These “presentations or acts” can be carried out by (but are not limited to) bands, musicians, singers, individuals using sound amplifying equipment as part of a performance, etc.
By defining what type of activities can be considered “live performances,” City personnel will be better equipped to enforce RMC Section 7.35.010(D) if loud music and/or noise disturbances from sound amplifying equipment are reported. Having examples of “live performances” within Chapter 7.10 will help guide City personnel and law enforcement when identifying, notating, and describing sources of RMC Section 7.35.010(D) violations.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The activity within the staff report aligns with Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being, Goal 2.4 to support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – This ordinance is being proposed to the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee so that City personnel in the field can better understand what type of activity constitutes a “live performance” when enforcing RMC Section 7.35.010(D).
Equity – The proposed ordinance will help to ensure that RMC Section 7.35.010(D) is fairly enforced when City personnel receive reports of loud music or noise disturbances from sound amplifying equipment.
Fiscal Responsibility – No additional funding is required due to the proposed ordinance.
Innovation – The City continually analyzes timely and reliable information in order to develop informed polices and implement new programs in order to meet the community’s changing needs.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The proposed ordinance will enhance the City’s preparedness for the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Jacob Castrejon, Deputy City Attorney
Approved as to form: Jack Liu, Interim City Attorney
Attachments:
Exhibit “A” – Proposed Ordinance and Municipal Code Section 7.10.091 Presentation
Noise Control—Definitions—Live Performance ● Page 2