Chapter 27A. Protest Targeting a Residence.

§ 22–2751. Definitions.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on February 2, 2025. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version.*

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) “Demonstration” means marching, congregating, standing, parading, demonstrating, or patrolling by one or more persons, with or without signs, for the purpose of persuading one or more individuals, or the public, or to protest some action, attitude, or belief.

(2) “Mask” means a covering for the face or part of the face whereby the identity of the wearer is disguised. The term “Mask” shall not include clothing worn for the purpose of providing protection from the elements nor clothing worn as a religious covering.

(3) “Residence” means a building or structure, but not a hotel, used or designed to be used, in whole or in part, as a living or a sleeping place by one or more human beings.

(4) "Sound amplifying device" means any machine, device, or loudspeaker that amplifies sound of the human voice, music, or any other sound. The term "sound amplifying device" shall not include automobile audio systems when used and heard only by the occupants of the vehicle in which the automobile audio system is installed, personal hearing aids, or headphones.

§ 22–2752. Engaging in an unlawful protest targeting a residence.

(a)(1) It is unlawful for a person, as part of a group of 3 or more persons, to target a residence for purposes of a demonstration:

(A) Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;

(B) While wearing a mask; or

(C) Without having provided the Metropolitan Police Department notification of the location and approximate time of the demonstration.

(2) The notification required by paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection shall be provided in writing to the operational unit designated for such purpose by the Chief of Police not less than 2 hours before the demonstration begins. The Metropolitan Police Department shall post on its website the e-mail and facsimile number by which the operational unit may be notified 24 hours a day, and the address to which notification may be hand delivered, as an alternative, during business hours.

(a-1) It is unlawful for a person to use a sound amplifying device to target a residence for purposes of a demonstration between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. in Residential Zones, Residential Flat Zones, or Residential Apartment Zones, as those terms are defined in the District of Columbia Zoning Regulations.

(a-2) It is unlawful to continue or resume targeting a residence in violation of this law after being instructed by a law enforcement officer to cease targeting a residence in violation of this law.

(b) A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days.

(May 26, 2011, D.C. Law 18-374, § 3, 58 DCR 715; June 11, 2013, D.C. Law 19-317, § 231, 60 DCR 2064; Nov. 4, 2024, D.C. Act 25-622, § 2(b), 71 DCR 13558.)

Section References

This section is referenced in § 23-581.

Effect of Amendments

The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-317 substituted “not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01” for “not more than $500” in (b).

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Residential Tranquility Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-622, Nov. 4, 2024, 71 DCR 13558).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 231 of the Criminal Fine Proportionality Emergency Act of 2013 (D.C. Act 20-45, April 1, 2013, 60 DCR 5400, 20 DCSTAT 1300).

Editor's Notes

Applicability of D.C. Law 19-317: Section 401 of D.C. Law 19-317 provided that the act shall apply only to offenses committed on or after June 11, 2013.

§ 22–2753. Throwing projectiles at residential property.

*NOTE: This section was created by emergency legislation that will expire on February 2, 2025.*

(a) It is unlawful for any person to launch or throw a projectile onto the residential property of another with the intent to cause fear, intimidate, or retaliate against any person living or working at that residence.

(b) A person who violates this section, upon conviction, shall be fined no more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, or incarcerated for no more than 90 days, or both.