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City Council Approves Ordinance Increasing Punishment For LA Party Houses

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday unanimously passed a revised ordinance which creates escalating fines and penalties for so-called "party houses."

The revised ordinance was drawn up by the City Attorney's Office in response to a motion introduced by Councilman David Ryu, whose Fourth District includes the Hollywood Hills, where many nuisance party houses have been reported.

"Let me be clear about what we are talking about here," Ryu said before the council approved the revised ordinance on a 15-0 vote. "These are not barbecues or family gatherings. These are large events, flyer parties often with a cover charge that bring hundreds of people, and most importantly, that are creating a massive public safety hazard."

Last September, City Attorney Mike Feuer filed criminal charges against the owner and manager of two known "party houses" in the Hollywood Hills. Last July, English Premier League soccer star Romelu Lukaku was cited at a house where he was staying in Beverly Hills after officers warned him five times to turn down the music.

The measure, which still needs to be signed by Mayor Eric Garcetti to become law, widens the type of behavior that could result in a property owner or manager being fined or facing a criminal charge, create escalating fines up to $8,000 for repeat violators and require a public posting for 30 days on homes found in violation.

Party houses are typically rented out for parties or a cover fee is charged at the door, according to Ryu's office, and 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.

"The sound and the booming bass echoes through the entire canyons, and people can't sleep," said Anastasia Mann, president of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council. "It's a massive problem," she told CBS2 News.

The crowd at the council's Wednesday night meeting applauded when Mann said the ordinance was "now a matter of law."

Proponents of the measure said the parties, often advertised on social media, have gotten worse with the increased use of short-term rentals.

(©2018 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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