Loud Party Ordinance

Tempe has a vitality that is unmatched in the Valley. Arizona State University, Mill Avenue, Cardinals Football, and huge city-sponsored events including the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve Block Party, and the two MAMA Festivals are but a few examples that contribute to this atmosphere. Private parties are also frequent, as are noise complaints. The Tempe Police respond to an average of over 7,000 noise complaints a year, 2800 of which are loud parties! These complaints often result in the person responsible for the party receiving a fine or a citation. This pamphlet is designed to assist Tempe’s citizens in having parties that conform to our laws and policies.

What is a "loud party"?

A loud party is a gathering that disturbs the peace of another. It does not actually have to be a traditional party to qualify. Parties often bring related problems such as noise complaints, loud vehicles and their stereos, neighborhood litter, and misbehavior such as urinating in public. This pamphlet gives information on how loud parties are handled by the Tempe Police.

What to do if you are planning a party:

• Notify neighbors of the planned party. If the neighbors are not supportive, change the location or nature of the party. One call from a neighbor could end your party, regardless of the expense and planning.

• Consider neighbors when planning your party. Neighbors accept parties Saturday afternoon better than Sunday morning at 2:00 A.M. Twenty people inside a home make less noise than 300 people in the back yard.

• Control who is invited and admitted to your party. Word of mouth regularly changes parties from 20 of your closest friends to 300+ people you’ve never seen before.

• During your party, periodically check your neighborhood to correct problems. You may be responsible for what takes place off of your property as a result of your party. Pick up trash and correct any other problems.

• If you lose control of your party, end it yourself. If you are unsuccessful in ending it, call the police. The police will assist you.

• If the police show up at your party, fully cooperate with them. Your cooperation may keep you from getting fined or cited.

• Do not mix alcohol and underage party attendees. The two do not go together, and could lead to civil and criminal consequences.

• Don’t have too many parties. One or two parties a year is all most neighborhoods can accept from one resident.

What to do when neighbors are planning a party:

• Express concerns early. When you discover a planned party for your neighborhood, discuss your concerns with the responsible person. It is easier to fix problems early.

• You may notify the Tempe Police Dept. when you learn of a planned party, even days before, that may create a large disturbance in your neighborhood. The police will attempt contact with the person giving the party and go over this pamphlet with that person.

• If the party is going on and a concern arises, contact the responsible person if you feel comfortable doing so. Most would like a chance to solve a problem before the police are called. Give them that chance.

• Be tolerant. Your ongoing relationship with your neighbor may be more important than a single event, even if your routine is challenged for one night.

• If the property is a rental, notify the landlord yourself in writing. This assures the landlord knows what is happening. Rental properties are required by law to register with the Maricopa County Assessors’s Office. Their website is www.maricopa.gov/assessor.

Contact Tempe’s Neighborhood Enhancement at (480) 350-8372 if there are other Code violations such as poorly maintained lawn and landscaping, disabled vehicles and debris in the yard, and general disrepair of the home. The website is: www.tempe.gov/codee

• When all else fails, call the Tempe Police and report the disturbance. If you are willing to aid in prosecution, the police will handle the disorderly party as a criminal matter. This will include citing or arresting the responsible person if the party is unreasonably loud or disruptive.

• If you are not willing to identify yourself or be listed as a victim, the police will still respond, but the matter will be handled according to the City Ordinance. This will only allow the officer to warn the responsible person on the first call. If officers are called a second time, the City of Tempe may charge a service fee to the responsible person.

Other remedies:

If the residence you are calling about is an ongoing problem, there are other remedies that could solve the concerns. Several options include:

• Refer ongoing problems to your area crime prevention officer. Your Crime Prevention officer will work with you to solve problems with a variety of methods. That officer can be reached by calling (480) 858-6330.

Consider mediation. This is a free service through the City of Tempe’s Social Services Department. Set an appointment by calling (480) 350-2430. This service has proven particularly effective for ongoing problems between neighbors. The website is www.tempe.gov/socialservices.

Arizona State law states that a person commits the crime of Disorderly Conduct by making unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of another person. (A.R.S. 13-2904) A person believed to have committed disorderly conduct may be arrested or cited. If found guilty, that person could be sentenced to up to four months in jail and given a $750 fine for a first offense.

To charge someone with Disorderly Conduct, the courts require that a citizen allow police to put his/her name in the police report and testify as a victim. No report will be taken if there is no victim.

Tempe’s "Large Parties, Gatherings, or Events" ordinance, Section 5-30 through 5-35, explains that large events often present a threat to the peace, health, and safety of the neighborhood and to Tempe citizens in general. The neighborhood suffers because the party upsets the normal routine, and all citizens suffer because officers at a loud party call cannot respond to other calls as quickly.

A large gathering or party is defined as a social event with five or more persons.  Officers will issue a written notice during the first response, informing the responsible person that a second response to a gathering at their resident within 90 days could result in the responsible person and/or property owner being billed for police services.

If the event is being held at a rental property, the property owner will be notified of the incident and may also be billed for police services related to the event.

• Emergency- 911

• Non-emergency: (480) 350-8311

• Crime Prevention: (480) 858-6330

• To report a planned party or a party in progress, call: (480) 350-8311