Santa Clara County, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 4+ people, underage drinking
- First citation
- $350
- Second citation
- $700 + response costs
- Third+ citation
- $1,000 each
- Coverage
- unincorporated area only
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County treats gatherings of four or more where minors drink alcohol as a public nuisance; hosts face administrative citations up to $1,000 and liability for the full cost of police, fire, or medical response.
(a)An underage gathering constitutes a public nuisance, is an immediate threat to public health and safety, and is prohibited. (b)As a public nuisance, the underage gathering may be summarily abated by law enforcement by all reasonable means, singularly or in combination, including, but not limited to: (1)Issuance of an administrative citation or written notice that a violation of this chapter has occurred, as set forth in Section B13-41...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
The County's social host ordinance declares any gathering of four or more people at private or rented property where alcohol is consumed or possessed by anyone under 21 a public nuisance in the unincorporated area. Law enforcement can summarily abate it and issue administrative citations to the responsible host - $350 for a first citation, $700 for a second, $1,000 for a third and beyond. After a second citation, the host and, if a minor is responsible, that minor's parents become jointly liable for the actual cost of the police, fire, or emergency medical response. A narrow exemption covers accredited colleges with an approved alcohol policy.
Violations & Fines
First citation: $350. Second citation: $700, plus liability for emergency response costs. Third and later citations: $1,000 each, with parents of a minor host jointly liable for costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord be held liable for a tenant's underage party?
Does this apply to parties in San Jose or Sunnyvale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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