How to lessen your chances of getting a nuisance ticket
Students living off campus can get nuisance tickets from hosting parties that violate 91¸£ÀûÉç ordinances. Party-related citations often include things like littering and excessive noise. Nuisance tickets can lead to fines and mandatory restorative justice courses. Review these tips to lower your chances of getting a nuisance ticket. Ìý
Get to know your neighborsÌý
If you live off campus, introduce yourself to your neighbors and get to know them. Download and fill out these contact cards from Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations (OCHNR) to share with your neighbors or pick up hard copies at UMC 313. Ìý
Let your neighbors know in advance if you plan to host a party. This can give them the option to reach out to you with any concerns or issues before calling the police.Ìý Ìý
Invite people you knowÌý
As the host, you are accountable for your guests' actions, including those that could lead to a nuisance ticket. Invite only people you know to manage your party. This can help you communicate issues and take responsibility for your event. Ìý
Watch your noiseÌý
Police are often called to residences because of excessive noise. In the city of 91¸£ÀûÉç, you may be ticketed for unreasonable noise at any time of the day or night. Unreasonable noise is defined as amplified sounds that can be heard from more than 100 feet away between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. and more than 200 feet away between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Keep music or noise inside to avoid disturbing your neighbors and use a decibel app like to check noise levels. Ìý
Clean up your trashÌý
91¸£ÀûÉç code enforcement begins early in the morning. Clean up any trash around your residence immediately after gatherings to avoid receiving a ticket. Secure your trash on your property in bear-proof containers or indoors, as leaving a trash bag next to the trash can or dumpster may result in a ticket. Properly dispose of trash in trash or recycling bins even when you’re not on your property. Free trash bags are available from OCHNR in UMC 313.Ìý
Register your partyÌý
When you register your party with OCHNR, Ìýthe police will send you a warning text and email if they receive a noise complaint about your party and you will have 20 minutes to shut things down. Ìý
Registering your party doesn’t guarantee you won’t get a ticket, so you’ll want to take steps to ensure the police don’t get called. Learn more about party registration.ÌýÌý