Tempe, AZ Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)

Under Sec. 5-32, when an officer responding to a nuisance party finds a threat to public peace, health, safety or general welfare, the officer issues a written notice to any responsible person and assesses a police service fee for the special security assignment, set in Appendix A. Notice can be served in person at the party, posted on the door for residents, or sent by certified mail to the property owner using the Maricopa County tax assessment address; landlords must provide the names of occupants on the lease documents on request.

A second police response to the same address within ninety days of the first notice is billed as a second-tier fee, and a third response within 365 days of the second is billed at the third tier. The fee escalates to the next tier if the officer finds a minor in possession or consumption, illegal drugs, weapons, or felonious conduct present (subsection (c)). A related provision, Sec. 5-33, separately covers 'unlawful gatherings' where a minor possesses or consumes alcohol or anyone possesses or consumes illegal drugs, and gives a first-time responsible person the option of a substance-use education class instead of the fee.

Property owners are shielded from the fee under Sec. 5-34(c) unless they were present or knew about the party and did nothing, were already warned about a prior incident at the same address within ninety days, or refused to identify their tenants; owners can also get the fee waived by showing they lacked adequate time to prevent it or have since taken reasonable preventive steps. Fees are a joint and several debt owed to the City by every responsible person, including parents or guardians if a responsible person is a juvenile, recoverable with attorney fees in a City-initiated action.