Monterey Park, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Chapter 4.40 defines an 'unruly gathering' broadly: any activity involving two or more people that includes a noise violation, a minor's curfew violation, underage or unlawful alcohol consumption, illegal drug activity, or interference with pedestrian or vehicle traffic, and that interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life, property or public safety (Section 4.40.030). Section 4.40.040 makes it unlawful for a 'responsible person,' defined to include an owner, tenant, or anyone with insufficient control over the premises, to cause, knowingly permit, or by insufficient control allow such a gathering or disturbance, and liability attaches even if that person is not present when it occurs.

The city justifies the ordinance by finding that unruly gatherings create a disproportionate demand for police, fire and public works response compared to the city's general service needs (Section 4.40.010). Once the twelve-hour or three-times-in-six-months threshold is met, the city documents 'response costs,' including officer and firefighter salaries, medical treatment for injured personnel, printing and mailing, inspection warrant costs, and attorney's fees, and bills them to the responsible person under Sections 4.40.060 and 4.40.090. Unpaid response cost invoices can become a special assessment and nuisance abatement lien recorded against the property at the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, plus an administrative fee set by city council resolution.

The city attorney may also file a civil action in superior court to enforce the chapter, with attorney's fees available to the prevailing party under Section 4.40.270.