Miami-Dade County, FL Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Miami-Dade County Code § 21-21.2
- First-offense fine
- Up to $500
- Repeat-offense penalty
- Up to 60 days in jail
- Who's liable
- Adult in control of the residence
- Exception
- Legally protected religious observances
Summary
Adults who control a residence face criminal penalties if they let an open house party happen there while a minor possesses or drinks alcohol or uses drugs, and they knew or should have known and failed to stop it.
No adult having control of any residence shall allow an open house party to take place at said residence if any alcoholic beverage or drug is possessed or consumed at said residence by any minor where the adult knew or reasonably should have known that an alcoholic beverage or drug was in the possession of or being consumed by a minor at said residence, and where the adult failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the possession or consumption of the alcoholic beverage or drug.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Miami-Dade County Code § 21-21.2 makes it unlawful for any adult with control of a residence to allow an open house party, defined simply as a social gathering at a residence, if a minor possesses or consumes alcohol or a controlled substance there, the adult knew or reasonably should have known, and the adult failed to take reasonable steps to stop it. "Minor" means anyone under the legal drinking age. A first violation draws a fine up to $500; a second or later violation adds up to 60 days in the County Jail. Legally protected religious observances are exempted.
Violations & Fines
First offense: fine up to $500. Second or later offense: fine up to $500, up to 60 days in the County Jail, or both, at the court's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply only to alcohol, or drugs too?
What counts as an "open house party"?
Is the host liable even if they didn't know minors were drinking?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida public conduct overview
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