Thurston County, WA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger size
- 4 or more people
- Fine per person cited
- $250 (Class I infraction)
- Who's liable
- Owner, controller, or organizer
- Landlord exposure
- Exempt unless controlling party
- Legal basis
- Public nuisance, summary abatement
Summary
Thurston County declares any party of four or more people where minors drink or use marijuana a public nuisance, with fines for whoever hosts or controls the property.
"Underage Gathering" means a party or gathering, of four or more persons, at property at which alcoholic beverages or marijuana are being consumed or possessed by one or more underage persons or one or more underage persons are exhibiting effects of consuming alcoholic beverages or marijuana. ... "Responsible person" includes: 1. The person(s) who owns, rents, leases, or otherwise has right to control property at which an underage gathering takes place... An underage gathering constitutes a public nuisance, is an immediate threat to public health and safety, and is prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 77).
Full Breakdown
Under TCC Chapter 10.30, an "underage gathering" is a party or gathering of four or more people at private property where alcohol or marijuana is being consumed or possessed by anyone under 21, or where underage attendees show visible effects of using it. The county doesn't stop at citing the minors: it can issue a civil infraction to any "responsible person," meaning whoever owns, rents, or controls the property, or whoever organized, supervised, or allowed the gathering. Landlords are exempt unless they were actually running or controlling the party themselves.
Violations & Fines
Class I civil infraction, $250 per cited responsible person; law enforcement can also summarily abate the gathering as a public nuisance under RCW 7.80.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a party need to be loud to count as an underage gathering?
Can the county cite the parent who owns the house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thurston County
Compare Thurston County to another location·View the Washington public conduct overview
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