Know your stories background In 1956 a Noise ordinance was implemented to dictate... Through a rights when I’m a full time resident of the who series of amendments and changes the ordinance is struggling would like to see more opportunities for our musicians to reach a healthy balance which respects residents while both on the street and in the restaurants and clubs. preserving ’ historic and unique music culture. performing: Street musicians are an integral part of the Quarter *Taken from the New Orleans Code of Ordinances and appreciated by many including a lot of the residents. That said we do need to educate residents, GUIDE TO businesses and musicians about the complexities of . performing on the streets of the Quarter. With a little 1959 give and take by all stakeholders we should be able to First unified city code bans NEW ORLEANS peacefully co-exist and prosper in this unique part of musicians from playing on city in the City. streets from 8 pm to 9 pm. any public right of way, public park or recreational 1977 area as long as you don’t exceed an average of City ordinance prohibiting I’m a community organizer and a lifelong advocate street performance on STREET measured at from the source. for many of the cultural groups in this city. I believe 1981 Royal St declared (Sec 66-203) that groups like the Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid Unified city code is amended unconstitutional. & Pleasure Clubs, and brass bands are not fully to include a noise policy that utilizes decibel sound levels. only appreciated by outsiders. People need to understand that we’re not just parading around in French NOVEMBER1996 between 6am- 8pm. (Sec 30-1456) the streets - we are honoring 300 years of history! quarter 1999 OCTOBER resident There is a generational shift happening right now in New Orleans Street Performers “Jackson Square quiet zone” PERFORMANCE during a the brass band community. Younger bands have not Code of Etiquette is published. been properly mentored by older generations. This limiting sound to 55 dB FRENCH QUARTER | MARIGNY performance, as long as it is isn’t necessarily their fault - I’m just grateful they within 10 feet of church have instruments instead of guns. ruled unconstitutional AUGUST2005 www.maccno.org (Sec 54-412 & Sec 54-419) Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans. When I first moved to New Orleans, my band was able 2010FEBRUARY You are responsible for to find gigs at three music clubs. But because of noise Mayor’s Office of Cultural the normal use of and permit violations, these venues were forced to Economy is established. JUNE2010 cancel our shows. After that, we lost our booking The Music & Culture Coalition of New Orleans To Be Continued Brass Band public rights of way. (Sec 146-494) agent and were forced to play on the streets just to is shut down on . The Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO), is a stay afloat. We’ve had to deal with intimidation from APRIL broad-based coalition working to bridge the gap between the needs of the the cops and complaints from residents - some people 2012 Remember to French Quarter Loud Speaker cultural community and legal/government policy in New Orleans. feel like they have the right to absolute silence SEPTEMBER 2012 MaCCNO’s mission is To empower the New Orleans music and cultural COMMUNITY Ordinance passes limiting use indoors. I also worry about my safety in the French Kermit Ruffins calls a community through collective self-representation advocating in the Quarter - I work late and carry a lot of cash. Because ACTIVIST of speakers by businesses. interests of cultural preservation, perpetuation, and positive economic (including the 78 db @ 50 ft limit) while in the meeting and 250 + people of the rise of smart phones, people can film my impact. St. Louis Cathedral noise buffer zone. come together to support music performances without asking for permission; many and culture in New Orleans. (Sec 66-208) don’t even make a donation. They feel entitled to my 2013DECEMBER MACCNO is formed. music. City Council ignores year-long The Tulane City Center brings together creative makers and doers, working official sound study and drafts for a better city. As the community design center of the Tulane School of This Guide is for informational purposes only, and I play saxophone in an up-and-coming brass band. new amendments without Architecture we advance community-driven ideas through collaboration, We used to play 5 nights a week in the courtyard of informing the public. design education, and scrappy problem-solving. does not constitute legal advice Miss Jean’s until the cops shut our gig down. They JANUARY 2014 said that we were playing too loud and that Miss New amendments are Jean’s didn’t have a permit for outdoor music. That halted after a Second Line Know your resources! cost me $400 a week in earnings! It’s all part of a marches to City Hall in protest. Have a probem to report? vicious cycle. Younger performers have to compete 2014 MAY The Music & Culture Coalition of New Orleans Nadine M. Ramsey, District C against each other, meanwhile, the clubs are being City Attorney announces the [email protected] [email protected] Music duo sued and many can’t afford to even offer live music. 8 pm city-wide curfew cannot www.facebook.com/MACCNOpage (504) 658-1030 My band plays on the streets part-time now. We’ve and will not be enforced. september 2015 Twitter: @musicculture504 PROJECT TEAM SPECIAL THANKS: had many run-ins with the police, local businesses, PARTNERS: New Orleans Health Department Health Department begins Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy Dial 311 from any phone and residents. I think a lot of this happens because Sound Check campaign. Sue Mobley Ethan Ellestad Kyle Gancayco Alison Gavrell Scott Hutcheson, Advisor to the Mayor based in New Orleans my bandmates are black. Lindsay Girardeau Hannah Kreiger-Benson Tara Kennedy Asante Salaam [email protected] Dial 911 for health emergencies Ashley Ricketson Nakita Shavers (504) 658-4900 [email protected] Gustavo Rodas Bob Simms JD Scott Juliette Tworsey Lauren Taylor Brass Band keep it below 80 dbA On Bourbon & Frenchmen don’t compete with don’t be afraid to 1 (AVERAGE) from 2 the clubs 3 amp up... 50 feet away

In The French Quarter (Area 70 60 80 shown below) You are allowed to 50 90 steps use sound-amplification 7 BUSKING equipment in the public - Decibels + NO right-of-way, including streets or 8PM TO sidewalks, as long as the sound 6AM produced cannot be measured above 80 dBA (average) at a distance of 50 feet from the to stay amplifier. 50 ft < 80dBA @ 50’ (average)

n. Rampart Bourbon’s entertainment strip is very loud and crowded, it also has some out of esplanade 80 of the most strict performance limits. It is against the law for any person dbA to perform any type of street entertainment on the street or sidewalk of Bourbon Street from Canal Street to St. Ann Street between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. iberville 80 dbA is more or less like trouble standing next to an alarm It is technically legal to perform on Frenchmen at night, however be decatur clock, a vacuum, or being respectful of music venues and try not to compete with their own inside a noisy restaurant. performances as to avoid future issues.

You do not need let the sign keep LANES CLEAR be quiet, a permit to perform 5 66 7 for heaven’s sake 4 on the sidewalk, but note... do the talkin’

It is unlawful to create any noise above 78 dBA at a distance of 50 feet from the source during religious services french market in St. Louis Cathedral. Conspicious signs should be displayed outside the cathedral during the conduct of such services. Night sound level limit is 60dbA from 10pm-7am in The DONATIONS Square, Pedestrian Mall, REGISTRATION REQUIRED WELCOME Pirates and Pere Antoine Alleys.

Selling CD’s and other merchandise is not legal. If you draw a crowd, make sure they daily mass However, you are allowed to are not blocking public passages or NOTICE: You have the right to perform on public passages, i.e. sidewalks, 7:30 AM give them away in exchange impeding the right-of-way. Your SPECIAL EVENT however to perform in certain areas of the French Market, you must for donations. Suggesting an quiet please! performance can be shut down if 2:00 PM Wedding Today obtain a free registration badge. LEARN MORE INSIDE: Find out amount is not allowed. You they are. PLEASE BE COURTEOUS 10;00 AM-Noon specific rules, including how to obtain a registration badge, on the next have the right to deny any page! donations. There are also specific clear lanes in Jackson Square - find them on the map inside! sound levels by receiving land use If someone complains about the sound level of your performance, the decibel measurement needs to be taken sec. 66-202 from the property of the person receiving the sound (person who complained) and not from the source of the sound!

L10 is the sound level exceeded 10% of the time in any measurement period L10 Lmax Lmax is the maximum sound level that cannot be exceeded at any given time N. Rampart st. 50 60 70 80 90 100 dB vcc = commercial 7:00 am - 10:00 pm vcr 10:00 pm - 7:00 am vcr =residential vcc 7:00 am - 10:00 pm Canal st. Frenchmen St. 10:00 pm - 7:00 am esplanade ave.

Bourbon St. vce = entertainment hmr= vce all times 10 dB above ambient noise; or 60 dB, whichever is higher residential 7:00 am - 10:00 pm Royal St. hmr 10:00 pm - 7:00 am

7:00 am - 10:00 pm vcc = commercial special historic district Chartres St. hmc 10:00 pm - 7:00 am JACKSON SQUARE hmc = commercial Decatur St. residential 7:00 am- 10:00 pm + public space vcs = service vcs = service 10:00 pm- 7:00 am elysian fields ave. Business 7:00 am- 10:00 pm + Commercial

cbd commercial mixed-use 10:00 pm- 7:00 am industrial all times

French quarter (vieux carre) Historic Marigny rest of the city

don’t get burned Umbrellas with a diameter of 8 feet or less do not need a permit. Tents and by the fire code! canopies require a permit, which are Do not let your crowd block any doorway granted by the Fire Prevention Division of Know or operable windows whether open, the New Orleans Fire Department. (sec. 26-15 and m.c.s. 22958, sec. 105.8) closed, or locked at any time. (m.c.s. 22958) who’s around! state police New orleans police department Between 50-60 troopers help patrol Main police force in the city. The NOPD’s 8th district (French Quarter, French Quarter falls on its 8th CBD & Marigny). District.

Special Areas and regulations performing in the french market The French Market Corporation is a public benefits Special approval needed + $150 fee/hr. corporation that returns a portion of its revenues each year to the city. It oversees a six-block area from the Registration badge needed historic market at North Peters Street to the Upper Performances not allowed Pontalba building at Jackson Square. nola patrol French quarter French MArket corp. task force security JACKSON registration badges SQUARE An unarmed civilian police force in A new patrol of off-duty New Orleans The French Market Corp. security Joan of Arc In order to perform in the French Market (private the French Quarter, aimed to crack police officers dedicated to the city's personnel patrols the entire French Market statue down on bad drivers and chase historic epicenter. They are equipped District 24 hours a day with an "hourly Artillery Cafe du property, not including sidewalks and public rights of gutter punks off. with all-terrain vehicles. concentration" on Jackson Square. Park Monde Farmer’s Market way) one must obtain a registration badge from the Dumaine Plaza 3rd floor Flea Market Permit Office French Market Marketing Office located at 1008 N. Peters St., Floor 3. Registration badges are free of charge with a current state ID or passport.

No amplification allowed Cannot play for 2+ hours in same location N. Rampart Must move if asked by law enforcement Registration badges are to be displayed at all times new orleans street performers Esplanade Maximum 4 people per location at one time (other than large group designated locations) code of etiquette Brass bands permitted only in Dumaine Plaza developed by the coalition to preserve the art of street entertainment (1996)

Iberville and Washington Artillery Park (note that prior booking takes precedence) decatur The New Orleans street performers community is self- regulated and thus has developed an unwritten set of rules in order to keep its vibrant living community of artists, performers, residents, visitors and business owners, enjoyable.

You have an obligation to preserve the heritage of New Orleans music and culture. GARDEN Do not block doorways of any businesses or residence and audience should do the same. Pedestrian traffic should not be obstructed in any way.

No one “owns” a spot, it is however acceptable to ask another performer how long they plan on staying at a spot, without being demanding or rude.

CHARTRES ST. 20’ from edge

MUSICIANS / READERS / ENTERTAINERS Set up at reasonable distance from other performers as not to overlap.

GARDEN PERE ANTOINE ALLEY

ARTISTS AREA 20’ from fence MUSICIANS / READERS/ ENTERTAINERS

ST. ANNE ST.

PIRATE’S ALLEY PIRATE’S On busy days, share spaces and alternate with others performers so as to give 12’ from edge 12’ from edge of sidewalk of sidewalk CABILDO ALLEY JACKSON SQUARE everyone the opportunity to perform.

ST. PETER ST. ST. PARK Play instruments with moderation, and take breaks to let yourselves and other

MUSICIANS / READERS/ ENTERTAINERS people rest. CHARTRES ST.

JACKSON SQUARE When playing outside a house of worship, play in such a manner as to not disrupt PARK DECATUR ST. services

Respect fire lines and emergency vehicle lanes. SEC. 66-208 SEC. 146-494 ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL JACKSON SQUARE If disputes arise, solve them reasonably amongst yourselves and without getting NOISE BUFFER ZONE CLEAR LANES police authorities involved. Unlawful to create any noise above 78 dB at a No performer or vendor should shall conduct his Welcome new performers and teach them these rules. distance of 50 ft from the source during performing or vending activity in the clear lanes religious services in St. Louis Cathedral. around Jackson square, as to facilitate pedes- Clean up your space after a performance. Conspicous signs are to be displayed outside trian access to and around the square. Musi- the cathedral during the conduct of such cians and performers cannot use the space Respect the right of others to live, work, visit and perform in the city. services. reserved for artists between 6am-6pm.