San Jose, CA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- SJMC 10.16, Part 3
- Warning given
- At first police response
- Fee window
- Repeat response within 12 hours
- Liability
- Joint and several among hosts
- Appeal window
- 10 days to request hearing
Summary
San Jose bills hosts for police response costs when officers return to the same loud party or gathering within 12 hours of a first warning to quiet down.
A.No responsible party shall cause, permit or tolerate a disturbance.B.Whenever a police officer at the scene warns any responsible party present to discontinue the disturbance, the responsible party shall be liable for the actual cost of each subsequent response required for a disturbance within twelve hours of the first response.C.At the first response, the responding police officer shall give an oral and/or written warning to one or more of the responsible parties present that the disturbance must cease immediately, and that if a second or subsequent response to the disturbance is required within twelve hours following such notice, a response fee shall be charged to any responsible party for all responses after the first response.D.All responsible parties shall be jointly and severally liable for the response charge regardless of whether or not a responsible party received an oral or written warning pursuant to Section 10.16.110 C. (Ord. 24314.)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Under SJMC 10.16.010, no one may disturb a neighborhood's peace with unreasonably loud noise. If police respond to a disturbance, including a loud party, the officer gives the responsible party (host, tenant, or property controller) a warning to stop. If officers must return within 12 hours, that responsible party is billed the actual cost of the second and any further response, and everyone present who organized, controlled, or hosted the gathering is jointly and severally liable for the bill.
Violations & Fines
Causing, permitting, or tolerating a disturbance after a police warning triggers a response-cost bill equal to the department's actual cost of each follow-up call within 12 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if police come back to my party a second time?
Can I fight the bill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
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Loud Party Ordinance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle loud party ordinance.