The City Council will consider on Nov. 19 whether to expand the city’s use of $1,000 fines for noisy parties in so-called “mini-dorms” or “nuisance rentals” beyond the San Diego State University area to cover the entire city.
The Land Use & Housing Committee voted 4-0 to recommend the citywide expansion after hearing several speakers in favor of the pilot program during the committee’s Oct. 17 meeting at City Hall. Many homeowners and college students attended the standing-room-only session.
San Diego police officers have given 75 administrative citations so far at $1,000 each. The figures included 70 notices to tenants and five to property owners, according to city records. Officers issue the citations to the tenants preferably in person, but if a owner is unavailable, the notice is posted on the property. This is basically a civil procedure with no one having to go to court or risking jail time.
Nine citations have been paid in full, but some of the citations have had the penalties modified by an administrative hearing officer at City Hall during the appeal process. The revenue from the citations is applied toward expenses related to police investigations and issuance of citations.
Some students told the committee they agreed with the idea of the Intent of the program, but said some household members were unfairly cited. They said some students who were not home at the time of the party were ordered to help pay the fine, including some students whose roommates hosted parties that they were not involved in hosting or planning.
Some urged that hearing officers be given the authority to assign community service in place of the $1,000 fine and to allow violators more than 10 days to pay it.
The pilot program began April 30. If expanded citywide, it could generate about $272,000 in revenue per year, according to a city report.
Committee chair Jim Madaffer said the full City Council will now hear the matter on Nov. 19. He seconded the motion made by Councilwoman Toni Atkins to recommend expansion. Also voting in favor were councilmembers Tony Young and Ben Hueso.
In her motion, Atkins asked for the Mayor’s Office to review the matter before the council formally votes on it.