On November 22, 2011 the Irvine City Council passed a social host ordinance (SHO), which holds those who furnish alcohol to minors accountable. On December 22, 2011 the ordinance took effect.

"The 'safest city in America' just got a little bit safer for teens," explains Debra Bianchi, Executive Director of Irvine Community Drug Prevention. While most young people in Irvine continue to choose not to drink, those who do are at greater risk of both short and long term consequences. Many adults are still unfamiliar with the brain based research and the compelling evidence that delaying the age of onset of use significantly reduces the chances of addiction in a person's lifetime. That is why ICDP and our partners will continue to develop strategies to educate parents and other adults in the community.

Irvine's Social Host Ordinance

The Irvine Prevention Coalition’s Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force (UDPTF) has prepared this brief summary regarding Irvine’s Social Host Ordinance for parents and other adults. You may download the entire ordinance from the City of Irvine’s website or at www.target21.org.

Irvine City Council Ordinance No. 11-15

It is unlawful to host or cause or allow a party, gathering or event to occur at any residence or private property at which any underage person is being served, is in possession of, or is consuming an alcoholic beverage, if the responsible person or host knows or reasonably should know that an underage person is being served, is in possession of, or is consuming an alcoholic beverage.

The host is presumed to have knowledge that an underage person was being served, was in possession of, or was consuming an alcoholic beverage at a party, gathering or event if the responsible person or host did not take all reasonable steps to prevent such activity from occurring.

Reasonable steps include without limitation:

• Controlling the access to and serving of alcoholic beverages to underage persons, and
• Monitoring the responsible, safe and lawful conduct of underage persons.

Administrative Fines Imposed

Each separate violation is subject to the issuance of an administrative Notice of Violation to each responsible person and host. Each separate violation shall, in addition to any police services fee that may be assessed pursuant to this chapter, be subject to the following administrative fines:

• First Violation: $750
• Second Violation: $1,500
• Third Violation: $3,000

Additional fines and civil liability

The penalties imposed under Irvine’s Social Host Ordinance do not preclude prosecution, the imposition of penalties, or civil liablitiy under any provision of law including, but not limited to:

California Civil Code Section 1714(d) - provides that a claim against: (1) a parent, guardian, or another adult (2) who knowingly furnishes alcoholic beverages at his or her residence to a person under 21 years of age and (3) that furnishing the alcoholic beverages may be found to be the proximate cause of resulting personal injuries, death, or property damage to the person who was served the alcohol or to other persons.

CA Assembly Bill 1658 - imposes harsher penalties for people who provide an alcoholic beverage to minors, for people who manufacture or provide fake I.D.’s, and for minors who purchase or who are in possession of an alcoholic beverage.

Section 272 of the Penal Code - contributing to the delinquency of a minor.