San Bernardino County, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- written warning, then repeat response within 12 hrs
- Who pays
- host, owner, organizer: jointly liable
- Minors
- parents/guardians liable instead
- Appeal window
- 15 days after bill mailed
Summary
The Sheriff's Department can bill party hosts for every response after a written warning, with the host and any minor's parents jointly liable for the full cost.
A Sheriff services fee may be imposed when: (1) A Sheriff's Department officer at the scene of a party has given written notice to a person responsible for the party that the party violates the law; and (2) A subsequent Sheriff's Department response to the party is required to control the threat to public peace, health, safety and welfare and to disperse the party. ... Each person responsible for the party for which a Sheriff services fee is imposed under § 24.0603 of this Code shall be jointly and severally liable for the Sheriff services fee.
Full Breakdown
Under County Code Chapter 6, once a Sheriff's deputy gives written notice at a party that it violates the law, any subsequent response within 12 hours to control the crowd or disperse it triggers a Sheriff services fee: full cost of the personnel, equipment, and any officer medical treatment. The property owner, occupant, event organizer, and host are all jointly and severally liable; if the responsible person is a minor, their parents or guardians are liable instead. Unpaid fees become a County debt collectible with attorneys' fees, and a recipient has 15 days to appeal a bill to a Sheriff's Department hearing officer before collection proceeds.
Violations & Fines
Sheriff services fee = full department cost of the second response, billed to host/parents; unpaid balance pursued as a County debt plus attorneys' fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does one Sheriff visit trigger a fee?
Can I dispute the bill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.