Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Order topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts sound‑equipment permit for city special events, sets $25 fee and designated free‑speech areas
Summary
The council approved an ordinance amending chapter 74 to require a $25 sound‑equipment permit (waivable by the city manager) for city‑permitted special events, creates designated free‑speech areas on event maps, and establishes an appeal process for denials, suspensions or revocations.
The Nacogdoches City Council on Feb. 17 adopted an amendment to the city code creating a sound‑equipment permit for special events.
Jerry Baker, the city attorney, told the council the ordinance adds a division to chapter 74 (parks and recreation) creating a permit specifically for use of sound equipment during city‑permitted special events. Baker said the permit application will require applicant information, a description of the sound equipment, the location and dates/times of use, and confirmation that the applicant will comply with the ordinance. The permit carries a $25 fee that the city manager may waive depending on the event.
Baker explained the ordinance provides a process for appeal of any denial, suspension or revocation of a permit. He also said the ordinance contemplates designated areas on event maps where individuals not affiliated with an event organizer may exercise First Amendment rights using sound equipment (the ordinance labels these as free‑speech/First Amendment areas). Baker emphasized the permit applies only to sound equipment used during a special event as permitted under Chapter 74 and does not regulate spontaneous sidewalk speech that does not involve city special‑event permitting.
Councilmembers asked whether previous events on the courthouse square would have required the permit; staff responded the permit applies only to events permitted under chapter 74. A councilmember moved to approve the ordinance, which carried unanimously.
The ordinance also implements mapped locations for free‑speech use during events so that independent speakers can use sound equipment in specified zones, and it allows city staff to consider waiving the fee for certain event types.
