A. The City of Chula Vista, pursuant to the police powers delegated to it by the California Constitution and as a charter city, has the authority to enact laws that promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its residents.

B. The occurrence of parties, gatherings, or events on private property where alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other controlled substances are consumed by minors are harmful to the minors themselves and a threat to public health, safety, quiet enjoyment of property, and general welfare.

C. Minors often obtain alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other controlled substances at gatherings held at private residences or other private property, places, or premises, including rented commercial premises, which are under the control of a person who knows or should know of the consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other controlled substances by minors.

D. Persons responsible for the occurrence of such gatherings often fail to take reasonable steps to prevent the consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other controlled substances by minors at these gatherings.

E. The ability of police officers to control gatherings on private property where alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other controlled substances are consumed by minors is necessary when such activity is determined to be a threat to the peace, health, safety, or general welfare of the public.

F. Gatherings involving consumption of alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substances by minors, as defined by this chapter, are unlawful and constitute a public nuisance pursuant to state law and provisions of this Municipal Code.

G. The purpose and intent of this chapter is: (1) to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of people and premises in the City, including the quiet enjoyment of property; (2) to enforce laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substances by minors; and (3) to reduce the costs of providing police services to parties, gatherings, or events requiring a response by requiring the person who knowingly hosts, permits, or allows a party, gathering, or event to ensure minors are not consuming alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other controlled substances through criminal, civil, administrative, and other penalties as allowed by state and local law. (Ord. 3401 § 1, 2017; Ord. 3066 § 1, 2007).