Can I be fined for throwing a loud party in Fresno? See city rules about noise

If you want to make a noise complaint, don’t call 911, Vega said.

“Generally loud parties and other noise complaints are not life-threatening emergencies,” the city said its website.

Instead, you should contact the Fresno Police Department using its non-emergency line, 559-621-7000.



According to the city of Fresno, a police dispatcher will answer the call and ask several questions to determine:

• The location of the party or loud noise
• The number of people in attendance
• Whether any other crimes are in progress, such as fighting or underage drinking

You should provide your name and contact information so law enforcement officials can contact you if needed, Vega said.

When can I report a loud party?

“Oftentimes, if it’s a first or even a second response, we usually give the person some opportunity to lower their music” or otherwise decrease the noise, Vega said.

In a worst-case scenario, the police officer might ask the reporting party on site to make a citizen’s arrest, according to Vega.

What are penalties for ‘unreasonable’ noise under California law?

Under Section 415 of the California Penal Code, anyone who “maliciously and willfully disturbs another person by loud and unreasonable noise” can be charged with committing a crime against the public peace.

Disturbing the peace is punishable as a misdemeanor offense, according to Kann California Law Group.

If convicted, you could face a maximum sentence of 90 days in county jail, a fine of up to $400 or both.

“However, under the right circumstances, your disturbing the peace charge can be reduced to an Infraction,” punishable by a fine up to $250, the law group said.

“Unnecessary noise can be a violation at any time,” Stimmel, Stimmel and Roeser said on its website.

How can I avoid getting the police involved?

According to Vega, Fresno residents should let their neighbors know ahead of time that they’re throwing a party.

“People that do that will have less people calling the police (to complain) because their neighbors already are aware of,” Vega said.

Even if your neighbors don’t let you know about gatherings ahead of time, it’s still possible to avoid a conflict, according to the city of Fresno.

“Sometimes people are unaware they are disturbing others,” the city said on its website. “In situations such as this, a phone call to the neighbor to politely ask them to turn down the noise is often all it takes to solve the problem ... and save them the possible embarrassment of police officers showing up at their door to talk with them about the loud party or noise.”