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

Chapter 9.17 in the City of Highland works as a two-step warning system with a bill attached. A "loud party" is any loud, unruly, disorderly party, gathering, event or assembly on private property where the responding police officer determines there is a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare (§ 9.17.020). The first step is a first response notice (§ 9.17.030), a written notice telling a responsible person that the disturbance must cease. The second step is a "second response," defined as any second or subsequent response made within 12 hours after service of the written notice; the officer can then issue a second response notice assessing a second response service fee to recover special security costs.

Who pays: the "responsible person" is whoever owns, leases, resides at or is in charge of the premises. If that person is a minor, the parents or guardians are also responsible persons and are jointly and severally liable for the fee. A property owner of record who is not present, other than the parent of a minor resident, becomes jointly and severally liable if the owner received a first response notice before the second response for which fees are assessed.

The dollar amount is not printed in the code. Section 9.17.040 directs the city council to set a fee schedule by resolution reflecting the costs reasonably borne by the city for the second response and special security assignment. Special security costs can include personnel and equipment costs, damage to city property and injuries to city personnel. The police department must develop written procedures, notice forms and an administrative appeal hearing procedure, and § 9.17.050 says no fee is authorized until those are adopted. The city finance officer bills the fee, due within 15 days of the billing date (§ 9.17.060). Section 8.50.060 N sends "loud, unruly or disorderly private parties or assemblies" out of the general noise chapter and into Chapter 9.17, and § 8.50.130 uses the same fee for second and subsequent noise violations.