Sullivan County, NY Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Who is liable
- Anyone 18+ who owns/rents/controls premises
- Minor defined as
- Under 21 years old
- First offense fine
- $500 plus awareness program
- First offense community service
- Up to 30 hours
- Second offense
- Unclassified misdemeanor
- Second offense penalty
- $1,000 fine and/or up to 1 year jail
Summary
Sullivan County's Social Host Law makes it illegal for anyone 18 or older who owns, rents or controls a property to knowingly let a minor drink alcohol or use drugs there. A first offense under §170-4 draws a $500 fine plus mandatory alcohol-awareness classes or up to 30 hours of community service; a second offense becomes an unclassified misdemeanor carrying a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person 18 years of age or older who owns, rents, or otherwise controls premises, to knowingly allow the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages or drugs by any minor on such premises. ... ... A. First offense. Failure to comply with § 170-4 of this chapter, for the first time, shall constitute a violation and be punishable by a fine of $500. The court shall also order the completion of an alcohol awareness program and/or an appropriate amount of community service not to exceed 30 hours. B. Second offense. Failure to comply with § 170-4 of this chapter by a person who has previously been found guilty of failing to comply with this chapter, shall constitute an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by either a fine of $1,000, and a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year in the Sullivan County Jail, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Full Breakdown
2 and that most underage drinking happens at the minor's own home or a friend's home (§170-2). Section 170-3 defines 'premises' broadly to include any home, apartment, condominium, cooperative unit or other dwelling, plus adjacent yards and open areas, whether public or private, and defines 'minor' as anyone under 21 and 'knowingly' as being aware of, or having reason to be aware of, the underage consumption. Section 170-4 makes it unlawful for anyone 18 or older who owns, rents or otherwise controls such premises to knowingly allow a minor to consume alcohol or drugs there, with narrow exceptions for consumption expressly permitted by a present parent or guardian, consumption for religious purposes, or drugs covered by a valid prescription.
The law does not require proof that a party occurred, only that the host knowingly allowed the underage consumption on premises under their control. 10. Section 170-7 sunsets the local law automatically if the state or federal government later enacts a substantially similar statewide law, a determination the County Legislature makes by resolution.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of §170-4 is a fine-only violation carrying a $500 fine, plus a court-ordered alcohol-awareness program and up to 30 hours of community service (§170-5A). A second violation by the same host is an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine, up to one year in the Sullivan County Jail, or both (§170-5B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be fined if a minor drinks alcohol at a party I host in Sullivan County?
What is the fine for a first social-host violation in Sullivan County?
Does the law apply if I didn't know minors were drinking?
What happens on a second social-host offense?
Does allowing a minor to drink under parental supervision violate the law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sullivan County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Sullivan County to another location·View the New York public conduct overview
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