Williamsburg City Council approves regulations for street performers in Historic Area

Williamsburg City Council approves regulations for street performers in Historic Area
by Sian Wilkerson
Virginia Gazette
Aug 12, 2022 at 1:00 pm

WILLIAMSBURG — Street performers in Merchants Square will have more regulations after an unanimous vote by City Council at Thursday’s meeting.

The new ordinance establishes “time, place and manner” regulations for street performances in Merchants Square and the Historic Area, City Attorney Christina Shelton said.

“So the where and the when and the how loud,” she continued. “These are not content-based restrictions because they cannot legally be that.”

During public comments, a local street musician expressed his belief that the ordinance has become necessary with the recent increase in performers in the area.

“In the beginning, we were able to, amongst ourselves, divvy things up,” said David Gussman, who plays the accordion. “It was very informal but there are more people now, so I understand the need for the regulations.”

Shelton clarified that there is nothing preventing performers from asking for tips or from putting out tip jars, cases or signs.

She also floated the possibility of making public issuances of short-term special events permits, which become necessary for performances including more than 20 participants and for those that include extra equipment placed in the right-of-way. Other performances cannot occur during the time a short-term special events permit has been issued.

“This is not in any way an attempt to prohibit performances on the street. It’s just intended to regulate it enough that everybody can use the street in comfort and together and in cooperation with each other,” Shelton said.

Medallions, which will mark the areas of Merchants Square available for street performances, should be placed within the next few weeks, City Manager Andrew Trivette said.

Sian Wilkerson, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com, 757-342-6616

You can read here the original text of the ordinance prior to slight modifications that were made at the City Council meeting on August 11.

Here is the official video of the City Council meeting, cued to the start of the discussion on this ordinance.