In recent months we’ve seen an increase in serious complaints about so-called “party houses.” Often illegally advertised on home sharing platforms, these houses essentially operate as unpermitted nightclubs. They often cause significant noise complaints, littering, traffic and parking problems, and in many instances lead to illegal drug use and gun violence.
Only five years ago, the City Council adopted the Loud and Unruly Gatherings Ordinance (LUGO) in order to regulate these disruptive activities. Although LUGO provides citations and penalties, the operators of party houses continue to disobey the law. It’s clear that the fines are not adequate to deter party throwers who charge admission and turn a profit. For many of these offenders, the fines are just a cost of doing business.
This week, Council President Krekorian introduced a motion calling for more effective enforcement of both LUGO and the Home-Sharing Ordinance, including increases in fines and other penalties, as well as a cost recovery system to compel the operators of party houses to compensate the City for the costs of enforcement. Creating an effective enforcement regime will take time, but the Council is ready to do what it takes to shut down these illegal and dangerous businesses.