Eugene, OR Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- EC 4.670 (definitions), EC 4.672 (offense)
- Max fine
- $1,000 or community service, or both
- Owner liability trigger
- 4th unruly gathering in 12 months
- Defense
- Calling police as soon as trouble starts
- Appeal path
- To city manager under EC 2.021
Summary
Eugene's EC 4.672 makes it unlawful to organize or host an 'unruly gathering,' a party with alcohol where two or more listed problems occur, like disorderly conduct, noise violations, assault, or public urination. Hosts face up to a $1,000 fine, and property owners become liable for police and fire response costs after a fourth incident within 12 months.
(1) No person shall organize or host an unruly gathering if the person knows or reasonably should know that it is an unruly gathering. (2) It is an affirmative defense to a citation issued for a violation of subsection (1) of this section that the person who organized or hosted an unruly gathering contacted the police as soon as any of the violations or offenses listed in the definition of “unruly gathering” occurred.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026).
Full Breakdown
805), or illegal fireworks. 672(1) bars anyone from organizing or hosting a gathering they know or reasonably should know is unruly; it's an affirmative defense if the host called police as soon as any of those problems started. A second citation within a rolling 12-month period adds an administrative civil penalty equal to the city's actual response costs, meaning the salaries and benefits of responding police, fire and emergency personnel, plus any equipment repair costs. If unruly gatherings happen at the same private property more than three times in 12 months, the property owner becomes personally liable for response costs starting with the fourth occurrence, and liability is joint and several; if a juvenile is responsible, their parent or guardian answers for the costs instead. 021, and the appeal considers whether the owner issued escalating written warnings or began eviction proceedings against the responsible tenants.
Violations & Fines
A first EC 4.672(1) violation draws a fine of up to $1,000, community service (which may include restorative justice), or both, under the chapter's penalty table. Property owners who rack up a fourth unruly-gathering response within a 12-month period owe the city's full response costs on top of any fine, an amount that scales with however many police, fire and emergency personnel responded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a party an 'unruly gathering' under Eugene law?
Can I avoid a citation by calling police myself?
When does a landlord become responsible for party response costs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eugene
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