Party's Over: LA City Council Moves Forward with "Party House" Ordinance

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council, hoping to crack down on the nuisances created by the use of residential homes as party venues, asked the city attorney Wednesday to draw up an ordinance to penalize such activity.

The council directed that Planning Committee recommendations, such as fines and liens, be incorporated into the measure that would give police more enforcement tools to rein in so-called "party houses."

The homes are typically rented out for parties or a cover fee is charged at the door, according to aides for the motion's author, Councilman David Ryu.

These types of party venues typically create excessive noise and other headaches for neighbors, as well as pose dangers, since they are often located in areas with narrow, winding roads and high fire risk, according to Ryu's office.

Ryu represents the Hollywood Hills where party houses have grown in popularity, particularly with the advent of short-term rental services like Airbnb. Such "egregious" party houses may only be "1 percent of the homes in my hillside communities," but it is necessary to "provide LAPD more effective enforcement tools that will bring relief to the 99 percent of residents who are besieged by these inconsiderate neighbors," he said.

City officials noted that Newport Beach has taken similar action. The rules would be aimed at giving police and authorities better "enforcement tools," such as setting up fines, allowing liens on property owners who do not pay their fines, and making it easier for police to identify a home as an "unruly" party house.

- City News Service / Image via Creative Commons Sarah_Ackerman/Flickr