Opinion ID: 77679
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Does the Ordinance Leave Open Ample Alternative Channels of Expression?

Text: 57 The last factor that we must consider in evaluating the validity of the ordinance's time, place and manner restrictions on reproduced sounds is whether it leaves open ample channels for alternative expression. We find that it does. The ordinance does not impose a total ban on the use of reproduced sound devices. It only restricts the volume at which these devices may operate so as not to intrude on the peace and quiet of neighborhood residents or affect the comfort of voluntary listeners. Nor does the ordinance bar the use of devices that reproduce sound at certain times of the day or prohibit persons from operating them within certain areas of the county. The Supreme Court upheld a municipal guideline that addressed sound amplification for concerts at public parks for this very reason, noting that the guideline [d]oes not attempt to ban any particular manner or type of expression at a given place or time. Ward, 491 U.S. at 802, 109 S.Ct. 2746. 58 L.C. argues that the ordinance fails to leave it any effective way to communicate music outdoors and that the City has licensed it to operate Opium Garden as an open-air entertainment venue. Opium Garden is not an open-air venue in the way that a ballfield grandstand is, however. The record indicates that L.C. operates the club from the open atrium of a two-story structure. The surrounding structure, which is roofed and which houses a restaurant, offices and other clubs, walls off the atrium from the public street outside, and undoubtedly blocks much of the noise that emanates from the atrium. The ordinance does not prohibit L.C. from communicating music into the open-air atrium of its building, it prohibits it from disturbing the neighbors with music that is plainly audible well outside the building. L.C. need only lower the volume to comply. This should not impact the ability of the patrons to hear and enjoy whatever is being played. 59 Similarly, those who wish to listen to their televisions, phonographs, or radios at a volume that would be prohibitively loud under the ordinance are not precluded from listening through headphones or wireless devices and those who wish to share their music, television broadcasts and the like with guests, passengers or patrons need only lower the volume. There is nothing unreasonable about accommodating the interests of all concerned. 60 In view of these facts, we affirm the district court's ruling on the validity of the County noise ordinance, section 21-28(b) of the County Code. The County noise ordinance is content-neutral and it sets permissible time, place and manner restrictions on the use of sound reproduction devices. It conforms to the requirements of the First Amendment. 61