Modesto, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Offense
- Hosting minors' drinking is a misdemeanor
- 1st offense fine
- $500 minimum
- 2nd offense (12 mo.)
- $1,000 minimum
- 3rd offense (12 mo.)
- $1,500 minimum
- Response-cost bill due
- 30 calendar days
- Enforcement
- Modesto Police Department
- Adopted
- Ord. 3437-C.S., eff. 4-26-07
Summary
Modesto Code of Ordinances § 4-18.06 makes it a misdemeanor for anyone in control of a premises to knowingly host, permit or allow a gathering where a minor drinks alcohol without taking reasonable steps to stop it. Police can order the party disbanded as a public nuisance, and the City bills hosts for its response costs.
It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person having control of any premises to knowingly host, permit, or allow a gathering to take place at said premises where at least one minor consumes an alcoholic beverage, whenever the person having control of the premises either knows a minor is or has consumed an alcoholic beverage or reasonably should have known that a minor is or has consumed an alcoholic beverage had the person taken all reasonable steps to prevent the consumption of alcoholic beverages by a minor as set forth in subsection (b) of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
Modesto adopted its Prohibition Against Underage Drinking and Social Host Liability Ordinance by Ordinance No. , effective April 26, 2007. 02 finds that gatherings where minors drink alcohol drive physical altercations, violent crimes, accidental injury, neighborhood vandalism, and excessive noise disturbance that consume law enforcement, fire and EMS resources. 06(a) makes it unlawful and a misdemeanor for a responsible person, meaning any owner, tenant, landlord or event organizer, to knowingly host, permit or allow a gathering at which even one minor consumes alcohol, unless the host took reasonable steps under subsection (b): controlling access to and quantity of alcohol, checking ID, and supervising minors present.
07 makes a responsible person's presence at the gathering prima facie evidence that they knew or should have known a minor was drinking. 11, Modesto police may summarily disband the gathering, issue an administrative or misdemeanor citation, or make arrests, and every responsible person or social host present becomes jointly and severally liable for the City's response costs. 14 stays collection. 06(c)-(d)).
Violations & Fines
Administrative prosecution under Section 4-18.10 carries mandatory minimum penalties of $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second within twelve months, and $1,500 for a third, on top of any criminal misdemeanor charge and the City's separate right to bill full law-enforcement and fire response costs under Section 4-18.12. Unpaid bills can be referred to collections or turned into a code-enforcement lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited if a minor drinks at my house party without my knowledge?
What fines does Modesto's social host ordinance carry?
Can the police shut down my party?
Am I liable if my own teenager drinks with just me at home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Modesto
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