Busking laws?

Subject: BS: Busking laws?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 12:26 AM

A friend of mine has asked me to help her to find out what the laws are which govern busking in Portland, OR and in Seattle, Wa. Does anyone know anything about these?

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: BS: Busking laws?
From: Sam L
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 09:43 AM

I don't remember those cities in previous threads, but you might have better luck in the music section of the threads. I'd like to find out about Louisville KY but don't quite know how to find out. The absence of buskers here suggests some difficulty about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Busking laws?
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 09:52 AM

Just call the local city hall or cop shop. Might have to explain what busking is, but one phone call should do the trick.

Subject: RE: BS: Busking laws?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 08:55 AM

Thanks.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: BS: Busking laws?
From: Marion
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 12:31 AM

If she's considering moving to one of those cities with a view to supporting herself as a busker, it might be worth investigating. But if she's just travelling through, or is moving there and wants to busk casually, or lives in one of the towns anyway, I'd suggest that she not go to the bother of trying to find out the laws (which is probably more than one quick call - you know bureaucracies). Just start playing and see what happens.

The actual bylaw only matters if someone cares enough to enforce it, and they very well may not, if she looks respectable, plays nicely (not too loud), and isn't in anyone's way. I've busked on private property without asking, and without a licence in places where licences are required, without any hassles. I've been asked to leave private property a few times, but that's no big deal: it's more convenient for them to come to me than for me to come to them, and at least I made a few bucks more than I would have if I had asked.

Marion