Guidelines for Hosting a Party in East Lansing
source - (www.cityofeastlansing.com)
The Purpose of this section is to inform you of the laws concerning parties and alcohol regulations, provide possible ways to avoid antagonizing your neighbors or breaking the law, and help you avoid risks to yourself and your property.
1) Visit surrounding neighbors, be friendly, and inform them of plans for a party. Respect the fact that they do not have to tolerate you disturbing their peace or their quality of life. Party hosts should make every effort to keep the entire party on their own premises. This includes noise, litter, parking etc.
2) Invite only people you know to your party. The better you know people, the more likely they are to respond to your expectations and requests.
3) Do not advertise alcohol related parties to the general public. Large parties usually get out of control and the hosts have a very difficult time maintaining order.
4) Always provide non alcoholic beverages and food as an alternative to alcohol.
5) Do not allow underage drinking. Providing alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor offense and carries a mandatory fine of $1,000. Additionally, the host can be charged for having an unlawful party.
6) Keep your party under control. If you go outside, remember noise carries more than you think, especially at night. The City’s noise ordinance states that you cannot have any noise that leaves your property. If there is any noise that is plainly audible from the street or adjacent property then you are subject to a noise violation citation. The police are under no obligation to give you a warning. The fine can range from $175 to $1,000 for the first offense. Additionally, your landlord will be notified every time there is any type of violation on your property.
7) Clean up any litter that is generated from your party immediately. P.A.C.E. Officers and police officers have the authority to issue party litter warnings and citations if a property is not cleaned up. Residents have two hours from the time they are notified of the violation to clean up the mess. The fine for party litter starts at $175.
8) Do not allow anyone to drive home if they have had too much to drink. A host can be held civilly and criminally liable for the intoxicated person’s actions. Know when to stop serving alcohol.
9) Do not posses or provide false identification to a police officer or liquor establishment. Doing so constitutes disorderly conduct and subjects the offender to arrest and a $250 fine.
10) It also helps to register your party at the East Lansing Police Desk. Officers will know who to contact if there is a complaint. If the police do come to your party, make every effort to cooperate. Immediately make contact with them and provide them with your identification. Ask your guests to quiet down and turn off any amplified music.
11) Do not sell alcohol. It is illegal to have an unlicensed cash bar. It is also illegal to sell cups, have a cover charge, or charge for a band or other entertainment and “give away” the alcohol. Doing so constitutes a “blind pig” party for which you may be charged with a felony.
12) Don’t have a party every weekend. Your neighbors will become less and less tolerant of the activities surrounding the party.
13) Do not carry open containers of alcoholic beverages in public. This is illegal in East Lansing, even if you are 21.
14) Have sober people at the party that are monitoring activity and can provide rides to those that have had too much to drink.
