Outpost Estates is a residential community, and we value the peace, safety, and quality of life that comes with living here. Unfortunately, some properties in the Hollywood Hills and across the Los Angeles are used as so-called “party houses” — homes rented or occupied primarily for loud, unruly gatherings.

The City of Los Angeles has recognized the harm these nuisance properties cause and has passed a “Party House Ordinance” to help neighborhoods like ours combat the problem. Here’s what you need to know — and what you can do — if you encounter one of these disruptive locations.

What Counts as a “Party House”?

Under Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 41.58.1, a “loud or unruly gathering” is defined as any party where unlawful or disruptive behavior occurs, such as:

Loud noise audible more than 150 feet from the property
Public intoxication or drinking in public
Service or possession of alcohol by minors
Fights, assaults, or other disturbances of the peace
Obstruction of streets, driveways, or sidewalks
Vandalism, litter, or destruction of property
Urinating in public or trespassing

Penalties for Violations

The City issues escalating fines for repeated violations:

$100 for the first offense
$500 for the second offense
$1,000–$2,000 for the third and fourth
$4,000–$8,000 for chronic offenders

After multiple violations, the case can be elevated to criminal prosecution, and the City can even shut off utilities at the property.

What You Can Do as a Neighbor

Before the party: If you see trucks unloading sound equipment or large gatherings forming, notify the Outpost Estates LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO) and the Neighborhood Prosecutor right away. Contact information located here.

During the party:

Call LAPD. Use 877-ASK-LAPD (or 911 if there’s violence, underage drinking, or other immediate danger).
Be specific. Provide the exact address or as close as possible. Ask for an incident number.
Request follow-up. Ask the responding officer to call you when they arrive so you can provide background.
Involve your neighbors. Multiple calls from different residents show this is a community-wide problem.

After the party:

Document trash, damage, or blocked driveways with photos and file a 311 service request.
Keep a log of dates, times, and incident numbers.
Share your evidence with the Outpost Estates LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO), the Neighborhood Prosecutor, and Outpost Neighborhood Association. Contact information located here.

If it’s a short-term rental:

Check whether the property has a valid Home Sharing Permit. If not, the City can fine the owner up to twice the nightly rent per violation.
Report illegal short-term rentals to planning.home-sharing@lacity.org or by calling (213) 267-7788.
Airbnb has a Neighborhood Support hotline at 1-855-635-7754 where you can report problem listings.

Why This Matters

Party houses are more than a late-night annoyance — they’re a strain on LAPD resources, a threat to public safety, and a real disruption to neighborhood life. The City has given us tools to fight back, but they only work if residents stay vigilant, document issues, and consistently report problems. By working together and using the City’s enforcement process, we can protect the peace and character of Outpost Estates.