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

Section 9.40.020 defines a covered event as any party or gathering on private property drawing a police response for loud and boisterous conduct, loud and unreasonable noise, disturbing the peace, intoxication, fighting, obscenity, indecent exposure, or any condition creating substantial danger to public health, safety, or welfare. Section 9.40.030 requires the responding officer to leave a written warning with the person responsible for the event, or post it at the entrance if no one can be located, identifying the date, time, and location of the response and the consequences of a repeat visit.

Section 9.40.040, the operative cost-recovery clause, allows the city to recover all abatement costs from any or all persons responsible for the event when officers make a subsequent response within three months of the warning or a prior response; those persons, which the ordinance defines to include property owners, event organizers, and anyone in apparent charge of the premises, are jointly and severally liable, and unpaid amounts can be pursued through Chapter 8.16 collection procedures or a judicial action. Section 9.40.050 gives a person billed the right to appeal under Chapter 8.16.

Separately, Chapter 9.50, Social Host Obligations, makes it unlawful under Section 9.50.020 for anyone hosting an event at a residence or a public place they control to knowingly allow a minor to consume alcohol, marijuana, or another controlled substance there, and Section 9.50.030 makes a violation a misdemeanor with joint and several liability for abatement costs among the host, tenant, and property owner.