Los Angeles County, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Geographic scope
- Academy Hill, Westfield, the Estates only
- Trigger
- Underage alcohol or cannabis at a gathering
- Base fine
- $1,000 per violation
- Notice deadline
- 45 days from the gathering
- Repeat-response liability window
- 12 months from prior notice
- Community service alternative
- 40 hours in lieu of fine
Summary
In a narrow slice of unincorporated LA County near the Palos Verdes Peninsula, hosting a gathering where a minor drinks or ingests cannabis is a public nuisance carrying a $1,000 fine per party, plus liability for the sheriff's response costs.
13.100.020 - Findings, Purpose and Intent...I. It is the intent of this Board that this Chapter be implemented in the unincorporated County areas known as "Academy Hill," "Westfield," and "the Estates." ... 13.100.040 - Social Host Liability For Parties At Which Underage Drinking and/or Ingestion of Cannabis Occurs. It shall be a violation of this Chapter, and a public nuisance constituting an immediate threat to public health and safety warranting summary abatement, for any responsible person to conduct or allow in a residence or other private property any party, gathering, or event at which an underage person consumes, ingests, or is in possession of alcoholic beverages and/or cannabis, where the responsible person knows or reasonably should know that an underage person has obtained or may consume or ingest an alcoholic beverage and/or cannabis. In the event the responsible person is a minor, then the minor and the parents or guardians of that minor will be jointly and severally liable for any penalties incurred pursuant to this Chapter.
Full Breakdown
020(I) states it is intended to apply only in the unincorporated areas known as "Academy Hill," "Westfield," and "the Estates," pockets that border the Palos Verdes Peninsula cities and are patrolled mainly by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. 040 makes it a violation, and a public nuisance warranting summary abatement, for a "responsible person" to conduct or allow a party, gathering, or event at a residence where an underage person consumes, possesses, or ingests alcohol or cannabis, if the responsible person knew or reasonably should have known it was happening.
030(H) reaches beyond the host present at the party to a notified landlord, a tenant present at the gathering, the person in charge of the property, or whoever organized or controlled the event, and if that person is a minor, the minor's parents or guardians are jointly and severally liable. 080 makes all responsible persons jointly and severally liable for those response costs on top of the fine. 060.
Violations & Fines
Each violation of § 13.100.040 draws a $1,000 administrative fine under § 13.100.070(A), plus a separate noncompliance fee and any recoverable emergency-response costs under § 13.100.080. A responsible person may instead perform 40 hours of community service in lieu of the $1,000 penalty under § 13.100.100. Appeals of the fine follow the Chapter 1.25 administrative-fine hearing process, run by the Sheriff's Department per § 13.100.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the LA County Social Host Ordinance apply to my unincorporated neighborhood?
Can I be fined for a party at my house if I wasn't there?
How much is the fine for hosting underage drinking under this ordinance?
What if deputies have to come back to the same house again?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
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