LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION

The UC Police Department and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office share jurisdiction of Isla Vista and both law enforcement agencies will have an increased presence in Isla Vista over the weekend. In addition, California Highway Patrol will likely have sober driver checkpoints.

For more information on law enforcement plans for Deltopia attend the  Isla Vista Community Safety & Support Forum on Wednesday, March 30th (see events) and/or the virtual Law Enforcement Community Briefing on Saturday, April 2 (see events) 

LAWS AND ORDINANCES

In addition to the laws and ordinances shared below, please stay aware of the evolving County COVID public health information.

Below is a list of some of the most common citations and arrests made during Deltopia in Isla Vista. You should pay close attention to the special Festival Ordinance that is in place over the weekend.  

If you or a friend has received a citation, please visit the AS Legal Resource Center to receive free legal education (UCSB students only).

FESTIVAL ORDINANCE (SBCO Sec. 6-70.1)

The festival ordinance (7-70.01) is in effect April 1, 2 and 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning.

This ordinance prohibits persons from playing live or recorded music which can be heard outside your residence. It also bans outdoor festivals, music festivals, dance festivals or similar musical activities to which members of the public are invited or admitted (for free or charge) and which is to be or is attended by 500 persons or more in Isla Vista during those days.

SOCIAL HOST LIABILITY ORDINANCE (SBCO Sec. 48-3)

Definition: The social host liability ordinance prohibits person(s) from allowing or hosting a party, gathering, or event (5 or more persons) at his or her place of residence or on other private property where alcohol is served to minors OR the host fails to take reasonable corrective measures after learning of possession or consumption of alcohol by minors on the premises.

Examples of reasonable corrective measures include: checking ID’s at the entrance; demanding minors refrain from drinking or leave; and reporting any minors to law enforcement who will not comply or leave.

The social host liability ordinance further declares it to be a public nuisance for any person to permit or host a gathering where alcoholic beverages are in the possession of, or being consumed by, minors.

NIGHTTIME NOISE RESTRICTIONS AKA NOISE ORDINANCE (SBCO SEC. 40-2)

No loud or unreasonable noise or music can be broadcast outside of any residence or building by musical instruments, drums, speakers, radios, or any other device that reproduces or broadcasts sounds during the following times:

Sunday through Thursday between 10pm and 7am the following day; or Friday and Saturday between midnight and 7am the following day.

Any person in violation of this ordinance is subject to an infraction citation and subject to a fine not to exceed $100 for a first violation (not including court fees).

MINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL (MIP) (25662 B&P)

Definition: Any person under the age of 21 years who has any alcoholic beverage in his or her possession, closed or open, on any street or highway or in any public place or in any place open to the public is guilty of a misdemeanor.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC (DIP) (647(f) P.C.)

Definition: Any person who is found in any public place under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, drug, controlled substance, or any combination thereof in a condition where he or she is unable to exercise care for his or her own safety or the safety of others, or by reason of being under the influence interferes, obstructs or prevents the free use of any street, sidewalk, or other public way (e.g., passed out in a public place), is guilty of a misdemeanor.

FURNISHING ALCOHOL TO MINOR (25658 B&P)

Definition: Every person furnishes (sells, provides or gives) or causes to be sold, furnished, or given away, any alcoholic beverage to any person under the age of 21 years is guilty of a misdemeanor.

DISTURBING THE PEACE/DISORDERLY CONDUCT (415 PC)

Definition: Any person who: (1) unlawfully fights in a public place or challenges another person in a public place to fight (415(1) PC); (2) maliciously and willfully disturbs another person by loud and unreasonable noise (415(2) PC); or (3) uses offensive words in a public place that are inherently likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction (415(3) PC).

URINATING OR DEFECATING IN PUBLIC (SBCO Sec. 24-34)

Definition: It is a misdemeanor for any person to urinate or defecate in or upon any street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, park, beach, public building or public maintained facility, or any place open to the public or exposed to public view. This section shall not be construed so as to prohibit lawfully constructed restroom facilities designed for the sanitary disposal of human waste.

POSSESSION OF AN OPEN ALCOHOLIC CONTAINER (SBCO Sec. 36-3)

Definition: No person shall have in his or her possession on any public street or public area any bottle, can, or other receptacle containing any intoxicating liquor which has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.

PUBLIC NUISANCE (PARTY) (SBCO Sec. 36-6)

Definition: A party becomes a public nuisance when it results in at least three or more violations of local or state law or ordinance including, but not limited to: battery, trespassing, criminal threats, disturbing the peace, vandalism, arson, MIP, fires, or unlawful fireworks. A party is also a public nuisance when a keg is placed where the public can view it, or when the conduct of persons in attendance results in unsafe behaviors that are likely to cause injury to persons and property (e.g., moshing, throwing objects like rocks or bottles, and crowd surfing).

QUESTIONS

Additional guidance and commonly asked questions from the AS Legal Resource Center.