Policy Text
Policy
428San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentNoise Ordinance Enforcement - 1Noise Ordinance Enforcement
428.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Police Department shall ensure the effective abatement of noise conditions which are a
detriment to the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare, and the peace and quiet of
the City and its inhabitants in a timely, legal and reasonable manner. It shall be the policy of this
Department to promptly respond to all reports of violations of the City Noise Control Ordinance,
conduct thorough investigations, take appropriate enforcement and abatement actions, prepare
necessary reports, and assist the City Attorney and/or the District Attorney in the prosecution of
offenders.
428.1.1 AUTHORITY
The following sections of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code provide authority to enforce and
abate noise violations, and to recover the costs of a second response to a violation: Chapter
9.12: Noise Control: Defines violations and provides for the enforcement of noise violations
via administrative citation; provides for administrative action against property owners for repeat
violations. Chapter 9.21: Second Response Cost Recovery: Provides for the recovery of response
costs for a second response to a noise/party violation within a 24-hour period.
428.2 DISPATCH RESPONSIBILITY
The Communications Technician receiving the noise complaint should attempt to determine the
nature and location of the noise violation, including whether a gathering involves large numbers
of people. The name and contact information for the complainant should be obtained whenever
possible. When an address of the violation is known, the Communications Technician shall
determine if the address is:
(a) On the "no-warning" list, or
(b) Student Neighborhood Assistance Program (SNAP) or an officer has responded to a noise
violation within the past 24-hours
If the address meets any of these criteria, or if the complaint indicates a large or unruly gathering,
officers should be dispatched to the call. If the complaint does not meet these criteria, SNAP
should be dispatched (or an officer if SNAP is not on-duty). If the address is a recognized Greek
house or Cal Poly event, the University Police Department should be notified of the response.
428.3 ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES
Upon arrival, SNAP or officers should determine if a noise violation is occurring. If the activity
is in violation of the noise ordinance, a warning should be issued in the form of a Disturbance
Advisement Card (DAC). If the violation meets any of the following criteria, then a citation should
be issued instead of a warning:
(a) On the "no-warning" list
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Noise Ordinance Enforcement
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentNoise Ordinance Enforcement - 2(b) SNAP or an officer has responded to a noise violation where a DAC or citation has been issued
within the past 24 hours
(c) Gathering involving more than 75 people
(d) Gathering involving other violations
(e) Residents uncooperative with SNAP
Officers have the discretion to issue a warning for a noise violation when there are extenuating
circumstances that warrant a lower level of enforcement. Information about the nature of the
gathering, including the number of people present, the type of violation (i.e. loud voices, amplified
music, etc.) and the presence of alcohol should be noted on the DAC or citation. Should SNAP or
officers determine other violations are occurring in addition to, or instead of, the noise violations,
appropriate enforcement action should be taken. SNAP and officers should be particularly aware
of violations of the Unruly Gathering ordinance, Social Host ordinance, and underage drinking
violations.
428.3.1 PRIVATE PROPERTY CONSIDERATIONS
In investigating a noise violations, SNAP and officers may enter those portions of private
property normally open to members of the public pursuant to Fourth Amendment limitations.
Other areas may be accessed with consent of the residence or pursuant to exigent (emergency)
circumstances.
If a noise violation has been verified, but the resident(s) will not respond to attempts to contact in
person or by phone, the officer shall document the violation in a report for administrative action.
428.3.2 VIOLATIONS INVOLVING GREEK OR UNIVERSITY ORGANIZATIONS
If a violation is determined to involve a Greek organization (fraternity or sorority) or organized
University event, the University Police Department should be requested to respond. Noise, alcohol
and party violations may also be a violation of the Greek organization's Conditional Use Permit
issued by the City, so documentation of violations is important. Indicia supporting the Greek
or organizational affiliation should be noted on the citation or report (Greek letters, posters,
flyers, etc.) and photographs should be taken accordingly. The presence and identity of underage
attendees consuming alcohol should be noted in the report.
428.3.3 REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM PARTY HOST
If a request is made by a party host for assistance from officers to break up their party and
disperse the attendees, the officer may consider having the party host complete a Citizen's Noise
Complaint/Assistance Request Card and obtain the residents' signatures.
428.4 PROPERTY OWNER ENFORCEMENT AND APPEALS
The Office of the Neighborhood Outreach Manager shall be responsible for issuing warning
letters and administrative citations to property owners and for scheduling requested noise