Other Work Issues

questions & answers

Question: Is it legal to street perform ? I have searched street perform and busker to no avail. Do I need a special permit? Can I just go to a store, ask for the managers permission, and stand outside singing and collecting tips?

Answer: It may depend on what city/town a person wants to street perform. Please check with the local government for specifics.  The city of Phoenix, https://www.phoenix.gov/cityclerksite/Documents/strvendbro.pdf does have information online regarding street vendors - food and non food requirements and licensing.  Below are some of the requirements:

(a) Blowing horns or signaling devices. The sounding or blowing of any horn or signal device on any automobile, truck, bus, motorcycle or other vehicle while not in motion, except as a danger signal if another
vehicle is approaching, apparently out of control, or if in motion only as a danger signal after or as brakes are
being applied and deceleration of the vehicle is intended; the creation by means of any such signal device of any
unreasonably loud or harsh sound; and the sounding of such device for any unnecessary and unreasonable
period of time.
(b) Radios, phonographs, etc. The playing of any radio, phonograph or any other musical instrument in such a
manner or with such volume, particularly between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M., as to annoy or
disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, hospital or in any dwelling, hotel or other type of
residence, or of any persons in the vicinity.
(c) Yelling, shouting, etc; on streets. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets,
particularly between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M., or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb
the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any hospital, dwelling, hotel, or other type of residence, or of persons
in the vicinity.
* * *
(e) Use of vehicles. The use of any automobile, truck, bus, motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, so
loaded or in such manner as to make loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.
* * *
(j) Noises near schools, hospitals, churches, etc. The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to
any school, institution of learning, church or court while the same is in session, or adjacent to any hospital,
which unreasonably interferes with the workings or session thereof; Provided, that signs must be displayed in
such streets indicating that the same is a school, institution of learning, church court or hospital.
* * *
(l) Noises to attract attention. The use of any drum, loud-speaker or other instrument or devise for the purpose
of attracting attention by creation of noise to any performance show or sale or display of merchandise.
(m) Loud-speakers or amplifiers on vehicles. The use of mechanical loud-speakers or amplifiers on
automobiles, trucks, buses or other moving or standing vehicles for advertising or other purposes.
Section 23-15. Exemptions.
None of the terms or prohibitions of Sections 23-12 through 23-17 shall apply to or be enforced against:
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(d) The use of a hand-operated device producing not in excess of seventy decibels of sound, "C"-scale,
measured a distance of fifty feet from the instrument emanating sound from bicycles, pushcarts, or other
vehicles, or from vehicles in connection with the sale or display of merchandise; Provided, that such devices or
musical systems:
1. Shall be operated only while the bicycle, pushcart or vehicle is in motion;
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2. Shall play only pleasing melodies; and,
3. Shall not be played between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and between the hours of 9 p.m. and 10
a.m.