A. The preservation and protection of the right to privacy and the enjoyment of tranquility, well-being, and a sense of security in the home are in the public interest and critically important to public health, safety and welfare in the City.

B. Picketing that is targeted at the occupants and neighbors of a particular residential dwelling who do not welcome such activity may harass and intimidate the occupants and neighbors, is inherently and unreasonably offensive to and intrusive upon the occupants’ and neighbors’ right to privacy, and may cause the occupants and neighbors of the residential dwelling to experience unreasonable emotional distress.

C. Unwelcome and targeted picketing creates a “captive audience” because the occupants and neighbors of a residential dwelling cannot readily move to another residential dwelling in order to avoid the unwelcome picketing being directed at them.

D. This “captive audience” situation and the protection of the right to tranquility, well-being and privacy requires the enactment of a reasonable time, place, and manner restriction upon unwelcome picketing targeted at a particular residential dwelling.

E. This chapter is intended to establish a reasonable time, place, and manner restriction that reconciles and protects the First Amendment rights of picketers to peacefully communicate and express their ideas with the right of persons to enjoy the right to tranquility, well-being and privacy in their residential dwellings.

F. This chapter is not intended to preclude the right to picket in a residential area generally and in such a manner that does not target a particular residential dwelling. [BC 5.17.010, added by Ordinance No. 4678, 3/1/16]