Palo Alto City Council Passes Social Host Ordinance

The Ordinance got its start in Palo Alto back in 2005 when PADACC (Palo Alto Drug Alcohol Community Collaborative) members gathered to ask what they could do to discourage adults in the community from providing alcohol in their homes to underage drinkers. That group included Palo Alto’s Acting Chief Dennis Burns, who has seen the impact of underage drinking, and moved forward to advocate for Palo Alto’s Social Host Ordinance. Two or three times a year the police are called with complaints of loud parties where teenagers are present and alcohol is served. Incidents such as these serve to strengthen PADACC's desire to have the new Ordinance passed. Similar Social Host Ordinances have passed in Los Altos and Morgan Hill.

On November 19th, 2007 the Palo Alto City Council passed its Social Host Ordinance. The Ordinance states that adults serving alcohol to 4 or more minors who are nonfamily members, in their home, can be charged with either an administrative citation (starting at $250 for the first offence) or a criminal misdemeanor (a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail).

The measure was unanimously supported by PADACC. A number of PADACC members were at City Hall to voice their support of the Ordinance.

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