Santa Maria Municipal Code Ch. 6-6 Party Disturbances

The City determines that it is in the best interest of all its residents that parties which deprive neighbor residents of their right to peace, safety and tranquility be subject to certain regulations designed to control disturbances.

(Ord. 93-25, eff. 08/19/93; Ord. 2003-18, eff. 11/7/03)

"Residence"

means the private domain, dwelling, house, household, apartment, townhouse or other structure designed, or being used, for human habitation.

"Resident"

means the person or persons residing at or in the residence.

"Commercial"

means an establishment, building or location normally associated with wholesale and/or retail business.

"Party"

is a gathering or assemblage of a group of three or more persons for the purpose of mutual enjoyment or entertainment.

"Party Disturbance"

is a circumstance or event at a party that deprives other neighbor residents of the safe or quiet enjoyment of their residences. "Party disturbance" includes, but is not limited to, a sound which is plainly audible to a person of average hearing at a distance of 50 feet from the noisemaker, or across any property line from the noisemaker, whichever distance is less, and:

(1)

endangers or injures the safety or health of human beings or animals; or

(2)

annoys or disturbs reasonable persons of average sensibilities; or

(3)

endangers or injures personal or real property.

"Neighbor"

means the person(s) residing within the immediate geographical area of the disturbance.

"Notice of Party Disturbance"

means the lawful advisement by a Peace Officer to the host or sponsor of a party being a disturbance to the neighborhood.

"Host" or "hosting"

means the resident(s) of the disturbing location, or the person(s) or the act of residing at or sponsoring or facilitating the party at the residence or commercial location.

"Peace Officer"

means any person defined by the California Penal Code as a Peace Officer.

(Ord. 93-25, eff. 08/19/93; Ord. 2003-18, eff. 11/7/03)

No person(s) may persist or continue in hosting a party at a residence or upon commercial property, under the following conditions:

(a) Upon complaint to the Police Department by a neighbor that the circumstances or event at a party constitutes a party disturbance.

(b) A Peace Officer counsels the host or resident and issues a "Notice of Party Disturbance."

(Ord. 93-25, eff. 08/19/93; Ord. 2003-18, eff. 11/7/03)

Any person(s) persisting or continuing in hosting a party disturbance after notice as set out in Section 6-6.03(b) above that the event or circumstance constitutes a party disturbance is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 93-25, eff. 08/19/93; Ord. 2003-18, eff. 11/7/03)

(a) The person(s) persisting or continuing in hosting a party disturbance in violation of this chapter shall pay administrative costs to the City of Santa Maria. If any of these persons is a minor, then the parents or guardian of the minor shall be jointly and severally liable to pay administrative costs.

(b) Administrative costs relating to a violation of this chapter shall begin to accrue when police respond to a neighbor complaint under Section 6-6.03(a), and shall include the following: Police personnel at special security assignment rate, equipment cost, damage to City property and/or injuries to City personnel.

(Ord. 93-25, eff. 08/19/93; Ord. 2003-18, eff. 11/7/03)