What to know about AV control systems in Chandler
Patio volume is a legal limit, so lock it
Under Ordinance 5174, adopted October 12, 2026, patio speaker noise may not exceed the ambient noise level at the commercial property line. A control system can set a maximum level for the patio zone, so a busy night can't push it past the plan.
Source: City of Chandler, Ordinance No. 5174, Sec. 35-305(4)(a)4 (Council packet)
Patio audio and TVs don't need the permit on their own
The same ordinance removed outdoor speakers from the list of things that trigger an Entertainment Use Permit when no entertainment is provided. Live music, DJs or karaoke near residential zoning can still need one, so a control panel for a venue with a DJ should be planned with that permit in mind.
New work follows the 2024 codes
Chandler enforces the 2024 International Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code for plans submitted on or after July 1, 2025.
Questions go to plan review
For building code questions, the Plan Reviewer of the Day is at 480-782-3078. Inspections are scheduled at 480-782-3100. On a tenant improvement, we confirm with plan review how control wiring is handled.
What a control system does
A control system links the separate parts of your AV into one interface. Instead of a remote for the TVs, an app for the music and a knob for the patio, staff touch one screen. The system sends commands to each device over the network, serial cable or infrared.
- Pick a source for any TV or group of TVs.
- Change music, volume and zone by room.
- Turn a room on and off with one button.
- Run presets, such as Open, Game Day, Happy Hour and Close.
Panels, apps and buttons
The interface can be a wall panel, a tablet on a charging dock, a phone app or simple buttons on a plate. A bar often uses a tablet at the host stand and a wall panel behind the bar. An office meeting room often uses a single touch panel on the table.
We keep screens simple. Staff get big buttons with plain names, and the settings that should stay put sit behind a code.
Presets and locked limits
Presets set many things with one touch: which TVs show what, which zones play music and at what level. Limits stop mistakes. We set a maximum level on each zone, and the patio zone's maximum follows your plan for the property-line limit.
Access levels let a server change volume within a range while a manager can change more. The owner can see and edit everything.
Working with equipment you have
Most equipment can be controlled if it has a network port, a serial port or an infrared receiver. We check each device during the walkthrough, connect to what still works and tell you plainly if something has to be replaced to be controlled.
Programming comes after the hardware
- Walk through and list every device you want on the panel.
- Plan the panels, presets and access levels.
- Install control processors, panels and any interface boxes.
- Program and test every preset in the live room.
- Train your staff. Service follows, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Often paired with
Control usually gets added to TV and video distribution, commercial audio or conference room AV. The rest of our Chandler work is on Enzo in Chandler.
