Salt Lake City, UT Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 3+ people, disturbance observed by police
- First violation
- Written warning notice to owner
- Repeat within 365 days
- $1,000 civil fine
- Liable party
- Property owner of record
- Penalty type
- Civil only, no criminal charge
Summary
Salt Lake City fines property owners, not just partygoers, when police find an unruly gathering on their land: a warning notice first, then a $1,000 civil citation for a repeat within a year.
It is a violation of this chapter for there to be an unruly party, gathering, or event at any private property in the city. Civil penalties for violations of this chapter shall be imposed against the owner of record of the premises in accordance with the procedures set forth in Subsections C, D and E. This section creates no criminal penalty.
C. If a member of the Police Department determines that an unruly party, gathering, or event has occurred, a written warning notice shall be mailed to the property owner of record of the premises. The notice shall identify the date, time and nature of the unruly party, gathering, or event and shall notify the owner of record that if the Police Department responds to any additional unruly party, gathering, or event at the premises within three hundred sixty five (365) days of the date of the unruly party, gathering, or event that triggered the notice, an administrative citation shall be issued. The notice shall direct the property owner to take steps to ensure that the premises are not used for unruly parties, gatherings, or events.
D. When the Police Department responds to an unruly party, gathering, or event at the same premises within three hundred sixty five (365) days of the date of any previous unruly party, gathering, or event for which a warning notice under Subsection C was issued the property owner shall be issued an administrative citation and a civil fine in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1000.00).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 11.14, an 'unruly party, gathering, or event' is three or more people assembled on or within 600 feet of residential property where police observe a law violation, a disturbance from crowd size, noise, fighting, littering, or public urination/defecation, or blockage of public ways. Every private property owner has a duty to manage their property to prevent one. The first incident draws a written warning notice to the owner of record; a second unruly event at the same premises within 365 days triggers an administrative citation and a $1,000 civil fine. The scheme is civil, not criminal.
Violations & Fines
First offense: written warning notice mailed to the property owner of record. Second offense at the same premises within 365 days: administrative citation plus a $1,000 civil fine against the owner, issued no sooner than 14 days after the warning notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can renters be cited instead of the landlord?
Does a first loud party get you fined right away?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
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