Revised Sound Bills Would Protect Venues, Musicians, and Renters/Homeowners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, D-Ward 1, was joined by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto in introducing two bills that protect the vibrant musical and cultural history of neighborhoods while also giving relief to the residents who have lived or moved here and appreciate that culture, but also seek reasonable protections from excessive sound.
“Those who live in vibrant neighborhoods throughout the District and the artists and spaces that make those communities so special can continue to co-exist,” Nadeau said. “The goal is to give residents, building owners, and venues the tools they need to improve overall quality of life, in a way that supports D.C. culture.”
The Harmonious Living Amendment Act of 2024, introduced by Nadeau, sets soundproofing standards for new residential construction in mixed-use corridors and entertainment districts, with higher requirements for buildings within 300 feet of a performance venue. Currently, the District does not require any soundproofing standard for building exteriors.
For existing buildings, the bill requires that owners disclose when there is nearby entertainment or cultural activity that they should be aware of so they can make an informed choice before moving into a vibrant, sometimes-loud area. There are also incentives for soundproofing and retrofits for existing residences and commercial venues.
The bill also considers how to improve public spaces to make them more amenable to music and public performances in ways that reduce residential disturbance. This would mean more amenities like the recently-installed band stand at Eastern Market and public decibel meters in high-activity areas.
The second bill is the Amplified Sound Mitigation Act of 2024, led by Mendelson. After receiving District-wide community feedback, this version of the bill has been thoroughly revised from previous iterations, while addressing resident and business concerns about damaging amplified public performances. The main changes include moving enforcement to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, which enforces other types of noise ordinance regulations; a measurement of sound from the point of amplification or inside an enclosed building or unit; and allowing people issued a fine to repay the fine via payment plan. Councilmember Anita Bonds also joined in introducing this bill.
“As Mayor Muriel Bowser aptly pointed out, our artistic community can thrive right here in D.C.,” said Dior Ashley Brown, director of the DC Music Summit and lead organizer for the DMV Music Stakeholders Coalition. “It's imperative that we recognize this dynamic energy. Our city pulsates with new artistic endeavors, from the DC Music Summit to the eclectic creativity showcased at events like DC Jazz Festival, Art All Night, and the H Street Festival. We're not just a city; we're an active arts and music hub. As we shape our cityscape, we must do so with careful consideration, ensuring that our architectural endeavors not only safeguard our residents but also honor and preserve the essence of our historical and cultural identity.”
“Ward 1 has always celebrated music, from Black Broadway and the Funk Parade to the Go-Go tapes playing from the speakers of the Shaw Metro PCS store at 7th and Florida,” Nadeau said. “The sounds of the District are often why new residents move to DC neighborhoods and why current residents wish to stay. All of us can share responsibility for creating an environment of quality housing, healthy music, and harmonious neighborhoods.”
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WHAT THE BILLS DO
Harmonious Living Amendment Act of 2024
- Establishes, for the first time, exterior soundproofing standards for residential construction in mixed-use corridors and entertainment districts, with higher requirements for buildings within 300 feet of a performance venue to address crowds and low frequencies.
- Requires a new disclosure on lease or purchase agreements for existing residential properties in an entertainment or activity area that informs a new renter or buyer of nearby activity and established cultural institutions.
- Creates new incentive programs for soundproofing retrofits, for residences and commercial venues.
- Establishes public spaces and amenities, such as band shells that are more amenable to live performances in ways that reduce residential disturbance.
- Establishes grant programs to encourage public performances that fit well with these spaces and help advance the District’s cultural vibrancy.
- Introduces live decibel reader displays to public spaces to clearly communicate the District’s laws and regulations (but would not be used for enforcement).
- Establishes grant programs to encourage public performances that fit well with these spaces and help advance the District’s cultural vibrancy.
- Ensures that enforcement agencies have a minimum number of sound meters given to staff for enforcement.
Amplified Sound Mitigation Act of 2024
- Establishes decibel levels for amplified sound, such as street performances.
- Allows for faster and fairer enforcement by measuring decibels at the source of amplification.
- Gives the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection authority to enforce the sound levels. DLCP already enforces other types of noise regulations.
- Allows performers to remedy a violation before being given a fine and allows anyone issued a fine to enter a payment plan.
- Updates the sound meter devices used for enforcement to modern standards. (D.C. sound regulations have not been updated since the 1970s.)