Chapter 21
SOCIAL HOST ACCOUNTABILITY
Sections:
5-21.01 Purpose of provisions.
5-21.01 Purpose of provisions.
(a) Loud or unruly gatherings on private property where alcoholic beverages are served to, consumed by, or in the possession of, underage persons, are harmful to the underage persons themselves and a threat to the public health safety or quiet enjoyment of residential property and the general welfare.
(b) This chapter is a reasonable and necessary means to protect and promote the health safety and general welfare of youth and other residents of the City by making possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages and underage drinking at unruly gatherings unlawful and to facilitate the enforcement of laws prohibiting the service to, consumption by, or possession of alcoholic beverages by underage persons. The imposition of an administrative citation upon social hosts and/or landowners who allow such loud or unruly gatherings to occur on their premises, at their residence, or at rented facilities where alcoholic beverages are served to, consumed by, or in the possession of underage persons is reasonable and necessary.
(c) This chapter is intended to protect the public health, safety, quiet enjoyment of residential property, and the general welfare, and to hold accountable persons who actively or passively aid, abet or allow loud or unruly gatherings. Such persons will be held liable for the nuisances created by such gatherings and subject to the administrative penalties and costs associated with responding to unruly parties.
(§ 1, Ord. 1237-08 (CM), eff. July 24, 2008)
5-21.02 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases shall be interpreted as set forth in this Section, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.
(a) “Alcoholic beverage” shall mean alcohol spirits: liquor, wine, beer, and every liquid or solid containing alcohol spirits of: liquor, wine or beer, and which contains one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes, either alone or when diluted, mixed or combined with other substances.
(b) “Loud or unruly gathering” shall mean a party or gathering of four (4) or more persons at a residence, or on other private property, or rented public property, upon which loud or unruly conduct occurs. Such loud or unruly conduct constitutes a public nuisance and includes but is not limited to:
(1) Excessive noise;
(2) Excessive traffic;
(3) Obstruction of public streets and/or presence of persons in the street causing a hazard to self and others;
(4) Public drunkenness or unlawful public consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages;
(5) Assaults, batteries, fights, domestic violence or other disturbances of the peace;
(6) Vandalism;
(7) Litter; or
(8) Any other conduct which constitutes a threat to the public health, safety, or quiet enjoyment of residential property or the general welfare of others.
(c) “Underage Person” shall mean any person less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
(§ 1, Ord. 1237-08 (CM), eff. July 24, 2008)
5-21.03 Prohibition of loud or unruly gatherings where alcohol is served to, consumed by, or in the possession of underage persons.
It shall be unlawful for a person to conduct or allow a loud or unruly gathering where alcohol is served to, consumed by, or in the possession of, any underage person, or persons at a home, yard, apartment, condominium, hotel or motel room, or other dwelling unit, or a hall, or meeting room, whether occupied on a temporary or permanent basis, whether occupied as a house party, or other social function, and whether owned, leased, rented, or used without compensation.
(§ 1, Ord. 1237-08 (CM), eff. July 24, 2008)
5-21.04 Enforcement.
Violations of this Chapter are punishable under Chapter 2 of Title 1 of the Watsonville Municipal Code, including without limitation, the Administrative Remedies Ordinance commencing with Section 1-2.101.
(§ 1, Ord. 1237-08 (CM), eff. July 24, 2008)