1. (a)

   1. (1) It is unlawful for a person, as part of a group of 3 or more persons, to target a residence for purposes of a demonstration:

      1. (A) Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
      2. (B) While wearing a mask; or
      3. (C) Without having provided the Metropolitan Police Department notification of the location and approximate time of the demonstration.
   2. (2) The notification required by paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection shall be provided in writing to the operational unit designated for such purpose by the Chief of Police not less than 2 hours before the demonstration begins. The Metropolitan Police Department shall post on its website the e-mail and facsimile number by which the operational unit may be notified 24 hours a day, and the address to which notification may be hand delivered, as an alternative, during business hours.
2. (a-1) It is unlawful for a person to target a residence for purposes of a demonstration by using a sound amplifying device between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. where the targeted residence is, in fact, located in a Residential Zone, Residential Flat Zone, or Residential Apartment Zone, as those terms and Zones are defined at the time of the of the conduct giving rise to the violation in the District of Columbia Zoning Regulations.
3. (a-2) It is unlawful to leave an unattended sound amplifying device emitting sound to target a residence for purposes of a demonstration where the targeted residence is, in fact, located in a Residential Zone, Residential Flat Zone, or Residential Apartment Zone, as those terms and Zones are defined at the time of the of the conduct giving rise to the violation in the District of Columbia Zoning Regulations.
4. (a-3) It is unlawful to continue or resume targeting a residence in violation of subsection (a-1) or (a-2) of this section after being instructed by a law enforcement officer to cease targeting a residence in violation of this law.
5. (a-4) The Mayor and Metropolitan Police Department may seize and impound any unattended sound amplifying devices targeting a residence for purposes of a demonstration in violation of subsection (a-2) of this section.
6. (b) A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days.

History

May 26, 2011, D.C. Law 18-374, § 3, 58 DCR 715

June 11, 2013, D.C. Law 19-317, § 231, 60 DCR 2064

May 26, 2011, D.C. Law 18-374, § 3a

Oct. 28, 2025, D.C. Law 26-53, § 2(b)

Editor's Notes

Applicability of D.C. Law 19-317: Section 401 of D.C. Law 19-317 provided that the act shall apply only to offenses committed on or after June 11, 2013.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 231 of the Criminal Fine Proportionality Emergency Act of 2013 (D.C. Act 20-45, April 1, 2013, 60 DCR 5400, 20 DCSTAT 1300).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Residential Tranquility Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-622, Nov. 4, 2024, 71 DCR 13558).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Residential Tranquility Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-2, Jan. 31, 2025, 72 DCR 1130).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Residential Tranquility Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-119, July 21, 2025, 72 DCR 8178).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Residential Tranquility Second Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-153, Oct. 3, 2025, 72 DCR 10901).

Effect of Amendments

The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-317 substituted “not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01” for “not more than $500” in (b).

Section References

This section is referenced in § 23-581.