Taft Municipal Code Ch. 16 Disturbing, Excessive, Loud, or Offensive Noise and/or Loud Parties

As used in this chapter, the following terms are defined below:

LOUD PARTY OR PARTIES: A “loud party” is a gathering of two or more people on private property which is determined by enforcement officers as defined in section 1-3-3 to be disruptive to the public peace, health, safety, or welfare due to the magnitude of the crowd, noise, disturbances, unruly behavior of those attending the party or gathering, excessive traffic or traffic congestion, illegally parked vehicles blocking other traffic or fire access, or destruction of property.

RESPONSIBLE PERSON: A “responsible person” means the person who owns the property where the party, gathering or event takes place; the person in charge of the premises; and/or the person who organized the event. If the responsible person is a minor, then the parents or guardians of that minor are also responsible persons whether or not they are present at the party. All responsible persons, as defined herein, are deemed to have caused or permitted the loud party and are responsible for and may be charged with a violation of this section; provided, however, a property owner who rents or otherwise allows others to use its property who is not present at the party or gathering may not be charged with a violation of this section unless the absentee owner had knowledge that the party or gathering was occurring, was planned to occur, reasonably should have known the party or gathering would occur, or previously has been put on notice of prior loud parties being held on site. This exception does not apply to a parent or guardian of a responsible person who is a minor. (Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully make or continue, or cause or permit to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise which unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area. It shall also be unlawful to violate any condition of approval associated with any City-issued special event permit for a private special event.

(A) The characteristics and conditions which may be considered in determining whether such noise violates the provisions of this section, shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• 1. The volume of the noise;
• 2. The intensity of the noise;
• 3. Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual;
• 4. Whether the origin of the noise is natural or unnatural;
• 5. The volume and intensity of the background noise, if any;
• 6. The proximity of the noise to sleeping facilities;
• 7. The nature and zoning of the area within which the noise emanates;
• 8. The density of the inhabitation of the area within which the noise emanates;
• 9. The time of the day or night the noise occurs;
• 10. The duration of the noise;
• 11. Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant; and
• 12. Whether the noise is produced by a commercial or noncommercial activity.

(B) Acts constituting disturbing, excessive, loud, or offensive noise. The following activities, among others, are declared to cause disturbing, excessive, loud, or offensive noises in violation of this chapter and causing or permitting such activities is unlawful; provided, however, that inclusion in this section shall not be construed as limiting the type of activities which may be found to cause disturbing, excessive, loud, or offensive noises:

1. Horns, Signaling Devices, Etc. The unnecessary or unreasonable use or operation of horns, signaling devices, or other similar devices, on automobiles, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles or any other vehicles.

2. Radios, Television Sets, Phonographs, Loud Speaking Amplifiers, and Similar Devices.

a. Uses Restricted. The use or operation of any sound production or reproduction device, radio receiving set, loud speakers, and sound amplifier or other similar machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet, or comfort of any reasonable person of normal sensitivity in any area of the city is prohibited.

b. Prima facie violations of this subsection. The following shall constitute evidence of a prima facie violation of this subsection; provided, however, that inclusion herein shall not be construed as limiting the activities which may be found to violate this subsection:

(1) The operation of any such sound production or reproduction device, radio receiving set, musical instrument, drum, phonograph, television set, machine, loud speaker and sound amplifier, or similar machine or device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the building, structure, or vehicle in which it is located.

(2) The operation of any sound amplifier which is part of, or connected to, any radio, stereo receiver, compact disc player, digital video disc player, computer, cassette tape player, or other similar device when operated in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet and when operated in such a manner as to cause a person to be aware of vibration accompanying the sound at a distance of 50 feet from the source.

(C) This provision shall not apply to any participant in a licensed parade, to law enforcement or emergency personnel in the performance of their duties, or to any person duly authorized, licensed, or permitted by the city to engage in such conduct in a public or private place including through a special event permit issued by the City. (Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

(A) It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to organize, cause, or permit a loud party.

1. Prima facie violations of this section. The following shall constitute evidence of a prima facie violation of this section; provided, however, that inclusion herein shall not be construed as limiting the activities which may be found to violate this subsection: A party, event or gathering where:

a. Noise emanating from or attributable to that party, event or gathering is audible from a distance of 50 feet from the source of that noise;

b. Persons present at the party or gathering are acting in a wild, unruly, uncontrollable manner disruptive to neighbors;

c. The number of persons present violates the fire code or other code related to occupancy limits;

d. Vehicles of those attending the party or gathering are illegally parked or parked in a manner to cause traffic congestion, passage on rights of way, or to block traffic or fire access; or

e. Persons present at the party or gathering have caused or are causing destruction to property of others.

(B) Loud Party Participation Prohibited. All persons attending a party or social gathering declared to be a public nuisance by an enforcement officer shall immediately disperse upon the order of an enforcement officer, and all persons not domiciled at the site of such party or social gathering shall immediately leave the premises. No person shall fail or refuse to obey and abide by such an order.

(C) It shall also be unlawful to violate any condition of approval associated with any City-issued special event permit for a private special event.

(D) This provision shall not apply to any participant for a City-approved special event subject to a special event permit issued by the City. (Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

(A) Penalties. Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with title I, including chapters 1 and 2, of this code.

(B) Public nuisance. Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a public nuisance subject to all enforcement, including abatement procedures authorized to the city by this code and all other applicable laws.

(C) Enforcement. The city is authorized to take such actions as may be required for enforcement of this chapter. The city may enforce any violation of this chapter by any and all means available by law, including, but not limited to, civil enforcement through such means as a restraining order and nuisance abatement action for relief such as preliminary or permanent injunction, criminal enforcement, and administrative enforcement. These remedies are intended to be cumulative and may be used in conjunction with or in lieu of each other remedy. (Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)