Title 13 PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE

Chapter 13.10 OFFICIAL RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVERS

13.10.010 Shortwave radio receiver defined.

As used in this chapter, "shortwave radio receiver" means and includes any radio receiver or other device capable of receiving messages or communications transmitted on any radio transmission station operating on a frequency between 1600 kilocycles and 2500 kilocycles, or on a frequency between 30 megacycles and 40 megacycles, or between 150 megacycles and 160 megacycles. (Ord. 5462 § 1, 1950: Ord. 4322 § 1, 1944.)

13.10.020 Installing or using shortwave radios in vehicles prohibited without permit.

Except as provided in Section 13.20.050 of this chapter, every person who, without obtaining a permit from the sheriff or from the forester and fire warden authorizing him to do so, equips any vehicle with, or operates any vehicle equipped with, a shortwave radio receiver, is guilty of an infraction. (Ord. 83-0066 § 90, 1983: Ord. 5462 § 2, 1950: Ord. 4322 § 2, 1944.)

13.10.030 Permit -- Issued by forester and fire warden -- Conditions.

The forester and fire warden may issue permits for equipment of vehicles with shortwave radio receivers which can receive messages broadcast by the forester and fire warden, and for the operation of vehicles so equipped in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by him, if he finds as a fact that the operation of such vehicle so equipped will be of material aid to the forester and fire warden in the performance of his duties. (Ord. 5462 § 3, 1950: Ord. 4322 § 2.5, 1944.)

13.10.040 Permit -- Issued by sheriff -- Conditions.

The sheriff may issue permits for equipment of vehicles with shortwave radio receivers other than those described in Section 13.20.030 of this chapter, and for the operation of vehicles so equipped in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by him, if he finds as a fact that the operation of such vehicle so equipped will be of material aid to the sheriff in the enforcement of the laws of the state or the ordinances of this county. (Ord. 5462 § 4, 1950: Ord. 4322 § 3, 1944.)

13.10.050 Exemptions from permit requirements.

The provisions of Section 13.10.020 of this chapter do not apply to:

A. A vehicle owned or operated by the United States, the state of California, any county, city and county, or municipality of this state, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality of the foregoing if the department head or other governmental officer in responsible control over the operation of such vehicle has expressly ordered, authorized or approved the use of a shortwave radio receiver therein;

B. Any vehicle owned or operated by a person or association of persons licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate a fixed or mobile shortwave transmission station, one of the authorized purposes of which is to communicate by radio with such vehicle or with other vehicles owned or operated by such person or association. The owner of such vehicle coming within the foregoing exemption shall inform the sheriff of such use and give him the license number of the vehicle. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor;

C. Mobile telephone equipment for use in conjunction with communication service furnished by public utilities under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission of the state of California or the Federal Communications Commission. (Ord. 4861 § 1, 1947; Ord. 4322 § 4, 1942.)

13.10.060 Using communications for financial benefit deemed infraction.

Every person who intercepts, overhears or receives any message or communication transmitted by any radio transmission station operating upon a wavelength or radio frequency assigned by the Federal Communications Commission for use by any police or law enforcement department, or county forester and fire warden, and who for the financial benefit of himself or another communicates such message or communication to another, or directly or indirectly uses the information so obtained, is guilty of an infraction. (Ord. 83-0066 § 91, 1983: Ord. 4562 § 5, 1950: Ord. 4322 § 5, 1944.)

13.10.070 Violation -- Penalty.

Violation of this chapter is an infraction punishable by:

A. A fine not exceeding $50.00 for a first violation;

B. A fine not exceeding $100.00 for a second violation within one year;

C. A fine not exceeding $250.00 for each additional violation within one year. (Ord. 12264 § 1, 1980: Ord. 4322 § 7, 1942.)

13.10.080 Severability.

If any provisions of the ordinance codified in this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of such ordinance, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby. (Ord. 4322 § 6, 1942.)