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NEW CITY NOISE ORDINANCE RESTRICTIONS

The new Noise Ordinance went into effect on Friday, September. 18, 2020.  The ordinance requires a permit for Amplified Sound at events held indoors, outdoors or both.  

In residential and commercial areas of the City, the new ordinance applies a standard or reasonableness to any sound emitted.  Unreasonable noise is defined as any excessive or unusually loud sound, or any sound which disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or causes damage to any property or business.

City Council also made provisions in the new ordinance to allow business and qualified organizations to apply in advance for a new type of permit, an Outside Amplified Sound Event Permit, or OASEP.  If an OASEP is approved, there are still limits on an Amplified Sound Event. 

Even with an OASEP, the sound level emanating from the event property maybe unreasonable if the noise, sound source or any person or group of persons engaged in loud and continuing activities which are audible and measured at any point along the property line or within the property line of the receiving premises continuing for a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes in a two (2) hour period and shall not exceed 75 dB when measured when measured from the nearest receiving property.

Amplified sound shall no include sound which is not audible Two Hundred Feet (200), measured at any point along the property line or within the property line, from the receiving premises.

The ASEP application is available online and must be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the event. The application will be approved, approved with conditions or denied after review with the Wheat Ridge Police Department and other City departments as appropriate. Amplified sound event permits will not be issued between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. Sun-Thurs and between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. Fri. and Sat. 

ASEP may be issued for any one location up to eight times per year (any rolling 12-month period). To apply for a permit http://bit.ly/ASEPpermit

Any activity or noise source conducted or caused by an activity conducted OR sponsored or approved by the city shall be exempt from the requirements of Sec. 16-103  of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws.

For more information about the City’s Noise Ordinance questions can be directed to the City Clerk at cityclerk@ci.wheatridge.co.us or at 303-235-2816.

Colorado Law

The City of Wheat Ridge follows the Colorado Revised Statutes for Special Event Permits as follows:

44-5-101. Special licenses authorized. The state or local licensing authority, as defined in articles 4 and 3 of this title, may issue a special event permit for the sale, by the drink only, of fermented malt beverages, as defined in section 44-5-103, or the sale, by the drink only, of malt, spirituous, or vinous liquors, as defined in section 44-3-103, to organizations and political candidates qualifying under this article, subject to the applicable provisions of articles 4 and 3 of this title and to the limitations imposed by this article.

Qualifications of organizations for permit:

A. Organizations that are incorporated under the laws of this state for nonprofit purposes, including but not limited to, for social, fraternal, patriotic, political, educational or athletic purposes, and not for pecuniary gain.

B. Local governmental entities, including special districts.

C. Any non-profit or charitable organization that is incorporated or registered with the Colorado secretary of state.

D. A regularly chartered branch, lodge, or chapter of a national organization or society organized for such purposes and being non-profit in nature.

E. A regularly established religious or philanthropic institution.

F. A state institution of higher education, to include each principal campus of such institution.

G. Any political candidate who has filed the necessary reports and statements with the secretary of state pursuant to article 45 of title 1, C.R.S. political as used in article 5 of title 44, shall mean any political organization as defined in section 1-1-104, C.R.S. However, no permit shall be required for those individuals or candidates campaigning or running for public office and who sponsor fund raising activities when such activities are held in a private residence and there is no cash bar in operation.

It is strongly recommended that anyone considering applying for a Special Events permit read the Colorado Revised Statutes prior.

Liquors – SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS, Article 5, Title 44, C.R.S.

Special Event Guidelines:

Click here for the City of Wheat Ridge Special Event permit application packet

Applications and Fees by Event Type:

Malt, Vinous & Spirituous Event

•  Special Event Permit Application
•  $50.00 per day to the City of Wheat Ridge

 Fermented Malt Beverages (Beer Only)

•  Special Event Permit Application
•  $10.00 per day to the City of Wheat Ridge