SDMC §59.5 (Loud or Unruly Gathering Ordinance) authorizes police to declare a party unruly and impose progressive cost-recovery fees on hosts and property owners after repeat responses, in addition to noise citations under SDMC §59.5.0401.
Under SDMC §59.5.0401 et seq., police may declare an event a Loud or Unruly Gathering when conduct creates a substantial disturbance from noise, public drunkenness, fighting, drug use, or unlawful activity. The first response triggers a written warning. If officers must return within 90 days, the host and property owner are jointly billed cost-recovery fees covering officer time, often $1,000 or more. Standard noise rules in SDMC §59.5.0404 prohibit amplified sound audible 50+ feet between 10 PM and 7 AM. The ordinance applies to single-family homes, apartments, and short-term rentals alike. Second responses also trigger STR strike rules.
First response yields a written warning. Second response within 90 days triggers cost-recovery fees billed to host and property owner, often $1,000+, plus possible misdemeanor charges and STR strike under the city's STR Ordinance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Diego, CA
San Diego allows backyard recreational fires under San Diego Fire Code Section 511.0307 (adopting 2022 California Fire Code Section 307) when the fire is no ...
San Diego, CA
San Diego enforces 2022 California Residential Code Section R314 and California Health and Safety Code Sections 13113.7 and 13114 through the San Diego Build...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. California Civil Code § 4710 limi...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to SDM...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance specifying installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Amplified outdoor audi...
San Diego, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in San Diego require multiple permits through the Development Services Department: a building permit for the structure, a gas-line ...
See how San Diego's loud party ordinance rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.