Tempe City Council approves bigger penalties for nuisance and loud party ordinances

PHOENIX – The city of Tempe recently approved higher fines for violations of its nuisance and loud party regulations.

The City Council adopted the new penalties along with other ordinance updates on May 1 after a series of meetings with the community.

When the changes go into effect on June 1, the fines for first-time offenders will increase from $250 to $500. The fines for second offenses will grow from $1,000 to $1,500, and third-time offenders will pay up to $4,000, an increase from $1,500.

Why is Tempe changing nuisance and loud party ordinances?

The city said its nuisance and loud party ordinances were updated to prioritize punishing repeat offenders so emergency services can tend to actual emergencies instead of repeatedly responding to the same types of nonemergency calls.

In addition to the higher fines, properties with recurring police and fire calls will be labeled as Community Impact Properties.

In another update, health care facilities that overuse 911 services due to staffing shortages may be penalized. 

“These changes give us the tools to protect neighborhood safety while ensuring police and fire resources are focused where they’re needed most,” Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid said in a press release.

“This is about accountability, fairness and supporting the quality-of-life Tempe residents deserve.”

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