Are there laws about listening to loudish music in public recreation grounds during the evening (6pm-10pm)?

Question

We want to have a picnic party with music in a public park on a nice summer evening

Answer 1

yes...picnic party *cough*

the cops will be breaking up the party on account of underage drinking. lol.

seriously though, residents may complain and all the police can do is tell you to turn the music down.

Answer 2

Never mind the law - think about whether you will disturb other people or not. If you will, then don't do it! Common sense and consideration, see?

Answer 3

yes. there are noise ordinances pretty much everywhere 24/7.

My bf was pulled over 2 in the afternoon a few years ago and ticketed for excessively loud music.

Answer 4

Almost all city's and states have noise ordinances. This noise ordinance can define loud music by the decibel or by the distance that the music is heard. I live in La. and there's a state statute that defines loud music as anything that can be heard 50 feet away. We have a city ordinance that defines loud music as anything that can be heard 25 feet away. That's pretty strict and most (if not all) cities have similar ordinances.

Answer 5

Every timeI have been to the lake/beaches for camoing .. etc. i have never had complaints about my music unless it was at a very late hour ( 3am). i would check with the park ranger or site manager of the facility though.

Answer 6

yep - no Leona Lewis

Answer 7

Strictly speaking no, but someone can complain on ground of breaching the peace at any time.

Answer 8

There are loads of different laws to cover this not least of which is the 'Public Broadcast'.

You cannot play music which is open to be heard by people whether by payment or not.

In theory you could get done for Broadcasting without a license.

Other powers include - nuisance, behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace, noise pollution, there is always some way to get you if they want

Answer 9

This sort of thing may be (and usually is) governed by local council by-laws.  It would only really involve the Police if your party got out of hand and people were complaining about the behaviour of your guests.  You could then be in the realms of committing offences under the public order act, causing harassment alarm or distress (section 5).

That said, if it was me attending to speak to you for a reported complaint and I found you to be having a nice friendly gathering, I personally wouldn't have a problem with it.  You are as entitled as anyone else to enjoy yourself on common land (a park) of an evening.

You seem to be sensible enough to consider the implications of what you are planning so I would suggest speaking to your local council to see if you would be breaking any by-laws by having your picnic with music.  These are usually displayed in the relevant areas of the park anyway so have a look around the park for any notice boards with by-laws displayed before you make any plans.