Borough of West Chester
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michael A. Cotter, Borough Manager
610-692-7574 x353
macotter@west-chester.com
Borough Council to Consider Proposed Street Performance Regulation Ordinance
West Chester, Pennsylvania [July 7, 2016]:
Borough Council is considering implementing regulations that will permit street performing, or “busking”, to occur in the Borough.
“Busking is an important element to a vibrant downtown in any community, when it is grounded in a set of rules that respect the needs on the busker, business owners, and residents of the community”, stated Michael A. Cotter Borough Manager. “The draft ordinance balances those interests and protects the rights of all impacted by busking”.
The draft ordinance is being proposed by Borough staff for Council to consider at a special public hearing the first week of August. The specific date, as of this date, has not been determined. At the public hearing, staff will review the ordinance with Council, take their questions and comments, and will hear from interested members of the public. The Public Hearing will be held in Council Chambers in Borough Municipal Building, 401 E. Gay St, West Chester, PA.
The draft ordinance defines busking and buskers, and will only apply to busking as defined. Buskers will be required to obtain a permit from the Borough to perform. Busking is limited to certain hours of the day Sunday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Busking on private property will require the written permission of the property owner. Amplified music is prohibited, and busking must comply with the Borough’s noise ordinance.
“People will have the right to undertake the activities defined in the ordinance as long as they are not busking, stated Mr. Cotter. “The proposed ordinance is intended to regulate busking as a commercial activity only, and represents a reasonable set of time, place and manner retractions on that commercial activity.”
