Petition by Cal Poly freshman to allow house shows gains over 1,000 signatures
In response to San Luis Obispo’s enforcement of its noise ordinance, Cal Poly freshman Cleo Saxe is petitioning the city to change its policy to allow live music at house shows.
The proposal suggests that the city of San Luis Obispo alter its noise ordinance policy to allow house shows such as backyard concerts before 10 p.m., with documented consent from surrounding neighbors. The exact specifications for whose consent is needed would be determined in conjunction by organizers and City Council, according to Saxe.
In only one week, Saxe’s petition has garnered over 1,000 signatures, one-third of the way toward her personal goal of 3,000 signatures.
As both a fan of music and a musician herself, Saxe was surprised to find that the house shows she attended in San Luis Obispo were being shut down by police after only a handful of songs were played.
READ MORE: Are house shows becoming a thing of the past?
“Every show I went to that got shut down, I was a little more angry and a little more driven,” Saxe said.
Eventually, she decided to focus on action. On April 6, Saxe published a Change.org petition outlining her proposal to update San Luis Obispo’s noise ordinance policy to a system of neighbor consent.
“We’re hoping that the majority of people would be willing to make a compromise,” Saxe said, citing respectful collaboration between neighbors as the foundation of her vision.
Saxe’s petition aims to push back against the increasingly vulnerable state of both permitted and underground live music in San Luis Obispo.
Notably, Libertine Brewing Company recently faced the threat of losing its live music permit as a result of neighborhood noise complaints.
READ MORE: Libertine Brewing Company keeps live music permit despite noise complaints
While local joints like The Libertine are typically more reliable, many shows at ticketed venues are often expensive and inaccessible to those under 21 years old. House shows traditionally offer an alternative for smaller bands, younger crowds and cheaper prices.
As the petition continues to spread, Saxe is working on her next steps. She plans to speak to professors and local experts about how to capture the attention of the City Council and eventually implement the proposed policy. Though the petition is only a start, Saxe’s dedication — and the support she has rapidly gained — is a signal of the importance of live music to the Cal Poly community.
