Gilroy, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Chapter 19C of the Gilroy City Code, the Social Host Accountability ordinance, targets private parties where minors drink. Section 19C.2 defines a "loud or unruly gathering" as a party of four or more people at a residence or other private or rented property where conduct such as excessive noise, excessive traffic, obstruction of public streets, public drunkenness, assaults or fights, vandalism, or litter occurs alongside alcohol reaching anyone under 21. "Person responsible for the event" reaches the property owner, renter, or lessee, whoever is in charge of the premises, and whoever organizes or controls the gathering, and the ordinance is explicit that a person need not even be present to be held responsible.

Under Section 19C.4, any enforcement officer, meaning the city administrator or a designee, may issue an administrative citation on the spot with no requirement of a prior warning: a first violation carries a $1,000 penalty and a second or later violation within twelve months carries $2,000. If a juvenile is the violator, Section 19C.4(4) makes the juvenile and their parents or guardians jointly and severally liable for the fine. Separately, Section 19C.5 lets the city recover its actual public safety response costs, capped at $500 per incident under Section 16.35, once officers have given one prior warning that a repeat call will trigger cost recovery.

Anyone cited has thirty days to request an administrative hearing under Section 19C.6, and can then petition the Santa Clara County Superior Court for review under Government Code Section 53069.4.