Pismo Beach, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Chapter 9.28 of the Pismo Beach Municipal Code creates cost liability for repeat police calls to the same party, gathering or event. Section 9.28.010 records the council's finding that officers have been required to make many return calls to disperse uncooperative and unruly participants, and that those calls drain police manpower and can leave other areas of the city without minimal protection.

The trigger is a two-step sequence in section 9.28.030 A. First, a police officer at the scene gives written notice to the person responsible that the party violates the law. Second, a subsequent police response is required to control the threat to public peace, health, safety and welfare and to disperse the event. Section 9.28.020 D defines a second police response as any response to the location made within twelve hours after the written warning is distributed.

Liability is broad. The person responsible for the party means any of four people: the person who owns the property where the party takes place, the person in charge of the premises, the person authorizing the use of the premises, and the person who organized the party. Each is jointly and severally liable for the police services fee. Where the person responsible is a minor, the parents or guardians are jointly and severally liable instead.

The fee covers all costs of personnel and equipment for the time actually spent responding to or remaining at the party. The code lists police salaries, the actual cost of medical treatment to injured officers, repair of damaged police or city equipment, administrative processing fees, the costs of recovering the fee, collection agency costs, and related overhead. No flat dollar amount is printed, so the bill tracks actual time and cost. Under section 9.28.040 B the amount is a debt to the city, recoverable in an action that includes reasonable attorney's fees.

The chief of police or a designate issues the bill under section 9.28.050, and unpaid debts can go to a collection agency with its fees added. A person billed can appeal in writing to the police department within fifteen days after the bill was sent, and collection is withheld until a commanding officer decides. If the appeal is denied in part or in full, payment is due within thirty days.

The chapter supplements rather than replaces other tools, including arrest or citation under the California Penal Code. Chapter 9.24 noise limits also apply, and section 9.24.090 C exempts permitted outdoor gatherings only when they hold a city permit or license.