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.
San Diego, CA
San Diego enforces quantitative sound level limits under SDMC Chapter 5, Article 9.5, Division 4. Residential one-hour average limits: 50 dBA daytime (7 AM-7...
San Diego, CA
STRO hosts must comply with San Diego's general noise ordinance (SDMC 59.5.0401) and the STRO Good Neighbor Policy. Guests must observe quiet hours (10 PM-7 ...
See how San Diego's loud party ordinance rules stack up against other locations.
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