Local Laws & County Ordinances
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Below you will find the official wording of important laws and ordinances as they appear in law enforcement documents. Please note that the penalties and fines listed for the following laws and ordinances are determined by the judge who reviews all of the evidence relevant to each particular case (i.e., two similar cases may receive different penalties). In addition, many cases require a $125 Victim Restitution Fee, which is an additional fine applied to certain offenses, regardless of whether a "victim" was involved in the incident
Nighttime Noise Restrictions
It is unlawful to assist in making, or to permit, continue, create, or cause to be made any loud and unreasonable noise, music, percussion or other sound which is broadcast outside of any residence or building by means of: any amplified musical instrument, drum, or similar device, or by means of any radio, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or phonograph, or by means of or employing any similar device which amplifies and produces, reproduces, or broadcasts sound, during any of the following periods of time: Sunday through Thursday, 10pm through 7am, and Friday and Saturday, 12midnight through 7am. Complaints by neighbors and residents can be lodged with the Isla Vista Foot Patrol or the Police Department, who will usually make a visit to investigate. Be aware that there are also state laws which prohibit "disturbing of the peace" any time of the day or night by citizen's arrest. The fine for violation of ordinance 40-2 is can be $108 or more.
Display of Open Alcohol Containers in Public
No person shall have in his or her possession on any public street, sidewalk, highway, alley, or parking lot any bottle, can, or other receptacle containing any intoxicating liquor, which has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed. The fine for this offense starts at about $108 plus $125 Victim Restitution Fee. Violators under the age of 21 may also be charged with a minor in possession.
Minor in Possession of Alcohol
Any person under the age of 21 years who has any alcoholic beverage in his or her possession on any street or highway or in any public place or in any place open to the public is guilty of a misdemeanor. This offense carries a fine of up to $250 for a first offense and mandatory suspension of the driver's license for one year. This includes any alcoholic beverage found inside of a motor vehicle, on any public road or parking lot.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle. Although the law states that having a blood alcohol level, by weight, of 0.08 percent or more will result in an arrest for DUI, you can be arrested for a much lower amount in your system if it is affecting your ability to drive. If you are under 21 years old, the automatic DUI blood alcohol level is 0.05 percent. For a first offense without additional circumstances (injury, etc.), the fine is approximately $1300 plus $125 Victim Restitution Fee and a mandatory suspension of the driver's license for up to one year. In Santa Barbara County, refusal of a blood/alcohol chemical test results in an involuntary blood sample being collected. Refusing to participate in the blood alcohol test meets with a mandatory suspension of the driver's license for up to one year. Additional offenses in following years hold substantially tougher penalties. There are DMV sanctions for anyone under 21 caught driving with any measurable BAC that does not constitute a DUI.
Biking Under the Influence (BUI)
It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to ride a bicycle. For a first offense without additional circumstances (injury, etc.), the bail is approximately $405.
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