Scranton, PA Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Four statutory layers reach a loud party in Scranton. (1) Chapter 317 (Noise): the easiest citation is the Section 317-8 receiving-district cap (64 dB(A) at the residential lot line during the nighttime window) or the Section 317-7(A)(1) audible-from-40-feet test if the party is in a public space. (2) Chapter 336 (Peace and Good Order) supplies local public-conduct authority overlapping the state disorderly-conduct statute. (3) 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5503 (disorderly conduct) is the state criminal backstop: a person is guilty if, with intent to cause or recklessly creating a risk of public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, the person engages in fighting or threatening behavior, makes unreasonable noise, uses obscene language or makes obscene gestures, or creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by an act that serves no legitimate purpose. Section 5503 is normally a summary offense (up to $300 fine and 90 days), but becomes a third-degree misdemeanor (up to $2,500 and 1 year) if the actor's intent is to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience or persists after a reasonable warning. (4) Chapter 373 (Rental Property): occupants and visitors of rental units must avoid 'disruptive conduct' - any form of conduct, action, incident or behavior caused or permitted by an occupant or visitor that is loud, offensive or riotous or otherwise disturbs other persons of ordinary sensitivity. Three or more disruptive-conduct reports or police reports generated from activity on a premises within a six-month period can trigger a license suspension and unit closure. Pennsylvania has no civil social-host liability statute equivalent to New York's GOL Section 11-100, but 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6310.1 (selling or furnishing liquor to minors) is a third-degree misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,500); 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6310.6 grants common-law civil immunity to a host who furnishes alcohol to an adult (21+).