The operators of so-called "party houses" may soon be subjected to escalating fines and penalties.
The Los Angeles City Council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee today forwarded a draft ordinance proposed by Councilman David Ryu, whose Fourth District includes the Hollywood Hills, to the full City Council for consideration.
"I am thrilled to see the PLUM committee unanimously approve this ordinance which will bring peace and safety to so many of our neighborhoods,'' Ryu said. "All-night parties, with hundreds of guests clogging the road and creating a fire hazard in the canyons and hillsides, cannot continue unabated."
The proposed ordinance would widen 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 $4,000 for repeat violators, and require a public posting for 30 days on homes found in violation.
"In my district, only a small handful of homeowners are responsible for these massive and unruly parties -- the vast majority are reasonable and respectful of their neighbors,'' Ryu said. "It's the small handful that make this ordinance so sorely needed. We are talking about people who use their homes to throw all-night events, or rent them out to strangers who run de facto nightclubs out of otherwise quiet neighborhoods -- threatening the peace and safety of everyone around them."