What to know about event AV in Maricopa
A temporary use permit changes the speaker rules
Outdoor speakers are allowed for a special event that holds a temporary use permit, and concerts, festivals and similar events the City approves that way are exempt from the noise chapter. Without that permit, the everyday limits apply: an outdoor speaker can't be audible more than 50 feet from the source or sit within 250 feet of a residential district.
Source: City of Maricopa, MCC 18.110.050
A temporary noise exemption is capped at 30 days
The City code lets the city manager grant a written temporary noise exemption that in no case may exceed 30 days, unless otherwise specified. Get it in hand before load-in, which means talking to the City while the event is still on paper.
Source: City of Maricopa, MCC 18.110.050
The special event guide points to Code 10-1-9
The City's 2022 special event guide points to City Code 10-1-9 for a sound variance or loudspeaker permit. It's an older guide, so we confirm the current process with Development Services at 520-316-6920 when we plan an event.
Pinal County's noise ordinance doesn't apply inside the city
The same City guide mentions Pinal County's noise ordinance, but the ordinance says on its face that it does not apply inside incorporated cities or on reservations. Inside Maricopa, the City's own code is the working rule. The County's decibel table is for unincorporated areas.
What event AV covers
Event work covers the temporary and the permanent. We install sound and screens in a venue so an event runs without a rental crew, and we set up stages, mics and projection for a one-day conference.
- Sound: speakers, mixer, wireless mics and monitors.
- Video: projectors, displays or an LED backdrop, and a camera for a live feed.
- Presenter gear: lectern, clicker, laptop inputs.
- A technician on site for the event, so staff don't run the board.
Sizing the sound
Speaker count follows the room shape and the crowd, not the biggest number we can fit. In a small room, two speakers and a subwoofer may be enough. In a long hall, we add delay speakers so people at the back hear the same thing as people at the front, at a lower level.
Screens for stage and room
A projector suits a room you can darken. An LED backdrop works with the lights up and for a stage that needs a big, bright image; see LED video walls. For a conference, we add a confidence monitor so the speaker sees the slides.
Events in Maricopa
Not every event space near Maricopa is under City rules. The Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino Resort, Ultrastar Multi-Tainment Center and Southern Dunes Golf Resort are run by the Ak-Chin Indian Community, not the City, so on a job there we start by asking who the right contact is.
For an event inside the city, we ask for the permit status when we scope the job. That tells us whether we can aim speakers outward, or whether everything stays inside.
How an event job goes
- A call or walkthrough to cover the room, the crowd and the schedule.
- A plan with equipment, load-in time and the permit status.
- Load-in and setup before doors, with a sound check.
- A technician on site for the event.
- Teardown, or a permanent install if the venue wants one.
Often paired with
Events lean on commercial audio in the venue and LED video walls for the backdrop. An AV control system lets staff run the room after we leave. The Maricopa page covers our other services in town.
