Parks Amplification Permit

Amplified Sound in City Parks

Parks and Recreation has required a permit to host amplified sound, like band concerts, speeches or festivals in community parks for the last 30 years. The permit helps ensure that park users comply with the City noise ordinance. Amplified sound through a public address system is allowed only in community parks, including Bonner Park Bandshell, Fort Missoula Regional Park, Playfair Park, McCormick Park, Silver Park, Caras, Bess Reed, BN Plaza and Memorial Rose Garden Park.

In the past, the amplified sound permit has been a park rule. The proposed ordinance makes the amplified sound permit a law, subject to enforcement and penalties.

On May 24, 2021, City Council approved an addition to Chapter 12.40, City Park ordinances, to create subsection 12.40.065.29, which requires Parks and Recreation to issue a permit for Sound Amplification in or on the Missoula Parks, Trails or Conservation Lands that allow amplified sound.

The proposed ordinance applies ONLY to speech or music that is amplified/broadcast through a public address system in community parks.

It does not regulate acoustic (non-amplified) musical instruments, non-amplified speech or music, or music played through a portable device at low volume for a small group.

History and Background

• Historically, Parks has required an Amplified Sound Permit as a Parks and Recreation Policy for at least 30 years.

• Section 2.5 of the Parks and Recreation Master Fee Schedule, titled Amplified Sound, is adopted by resolution each year through a public process and hearing.

• In June of 2019, the City Council amended Chapter 12.40 City Park ordinances. The Amplified Sound permit was inadvertently left out of the adopted ordinances.

• Therefore, this ordinance will amend 12.40 to create a subsection 12.40.065, which requires Parks and Recreation to issue a permit for Sound Amplification in or on the Missoula Parks, Trails or Conservation Lands that allow amplified sound.

What does the proposed ordinance and amplification permit do?

• The permit regulates when, where, how long, how loud amplified sound can occur in parks and ensures that park users comply with the City's noise ordinance.

• The ordinance applies to large public events that are allowed in Community Parks. Community Parks include Bonner Park (Bandshell), Fort Missoula Regional Park, Playfair Park, McCormick Park, Silver Park, Caras Park, Bess Reed Park, BN Plaza and Memorial Rose Garden Park.

•Parks does not issue amplification permits for neighborhood parks where there is generally no buffer between the park and residential housing.

• Most neighborhood park visitors are considerate of the fact that houses are so close to the park. In general, park users who play music at their gatherings, say from an acoustic guitar or perhaps a small phone speaker, keep the volume low and are careful not to disturb adjacent neighbors.

• The Department has received very few noise complaints over the years from neighborhood parks, but the complaints received are generally serious.

• Law enforcement response to noise ordinance violations is generally complaint-driven—meaning law enforcement would respond only if they receive a noise complaint.

• This ordinance provides a tool to law enforcement to help protect other park users' rights and those living next to city parks.

• The city noise ordinance states it best: "It is the public policy of the city that every person is entitled to live in an environment where ambient noise levels are not detrimental of life, health and enjoyment of his property and community."

• The Missoula Downtown Association manages Caras Park. Working with the City's Extraordinary Events Committee, they engage with surrounding neighborhoods to be respectful, comply with the Noise Ordinance and mitigate sound via a mix of volume control, speaker direction, hours, and duration. Contact the MDA at 543-4238 for more information.