Apple Valley, MN Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Section 130.59 of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances, titled Parties or Gatherings, targets both the host and the guests. Under paragraph (A), a person shall not permit or participate in any party or other gathering of people, on public or private property, which causes unreasonably loud noise that it disturbs the peace, quiet and comfort of others or interferes with the right of another to use peacefully his or her property or public property without disturbance. The code adds a presumption: a violation is presumed when any noise from a gathering is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Paragraph (B) gives police a dispersal tool. When a police officer has probable cause that a violation is occurring, the officer can order all persons present, other than the owner or tenant of the premises, to disperse and leave the premises immediately. Refusing to leave after being ordered is itself a violation. That puts the owner or tenant on the hook for the noise while guests face a separate violation if they stay.

A second layer applies when alcohol and underage guests are involved. The City Council's social host subchapter, §§ 130.10 through 130.13, makes it unlawful to host or allow an event or gathering at any residence, premises, or other private or public property where alcohol or alcoholic beverages are present when the person knows or reasonably should know that an underage person will or did consume or possess alcohol. An underage person is anyone under 21 years of age. A host includes any person who aids, conducts, allows, entertains, organizes, supervises, controls, or permits a gathering, and the owner or tenant of a residence is a host whether or not present at the time of the offense. Section 130.13 exempts consumption with a parent in the parent's household when no event or gathering is occurring, legally protected religious observances, and underage persons lawfully possessing alcohol during employment.