News Story
WHAT IS A SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE?
In an effort to combat underage drinking, the Thousand Oaks City Council enacted “social host” legislation in 2006. A Social Host Ordinance holds accountable the host of a gathering where underage drinking is allowed to occur. Anyone 18 years of age or older who hosts such a gathering will be subject to a fine associated with the ordinance. If the host of such a gathering is 17 years old or younger, the parents of that minor will be held jointly responsible with their teen and subject to the fine, even if they were not present or aware of the gathering.
WHY ARE SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCES NECESSARY?
A social host ordinance solidifies and enforces the message that allowing underage drinking will not be tolerated in the City of Thousand Oaks. The ordinance also deters hosts from creating dangerous and illegal situations involving minors, and reduces the nuisance that loud gatherings inflict on the community.
In addition, a Social Host Ordinance:
- Empowers parents, frustrated neighbors, and concerned residents to seek help from
law enforcement when there are youth suspected of underage drinking or other potentially dangerous or illegal situations involving minors.
- This ordinance provides law enforcement an effective tool and course of action to combat underage drinking and serves as a significant deterrent to hosting parties involving minors and alcohol.
FINES FOR GATHERINGS WHERE UNDERAGE DRINKING IS ALLOWED TO OCCUR:
Penalties for a violation of the social host ordinance begin at $2,500.00 for the first violation, $3,500.00 for the second, and $5,000.00 for the third and subsequent violations. Violators may be permitted to perform community service in lieu of a financial penalty for the first violation only. Community service hours have been increased to 120 hours within a single year with an additional $100 fee, as accounted for in the Citywide User Fee schedule (October 2013), for administration of community service hours in lieu of the Social Host fine.
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