SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE (SHO)

The SHO was introduced to the Berkeley City Council on April 25, 2006 and was eventually adopted on March 27, 2007. The SHO essentially holds the party host responsible for underage drinking occurring on their property. The intention of the SHO is to make it the party hosts’ responsibility to regulate their guests and their alcohol on private property. The current version of the SHO before the Berkeley City Council would start fines immediately after a violation, and increase with subsequent violations. Our hope is that this ordinance will, over time, reduce the disproportionate need for law enforcement in the south-campus area by making hosts self-regulate their parties.

To see the adopted version of the ordiance, please click here. Performance standards and fees are now under consideration and are currently being drafted. There will be a stakeholder meeting regarding these matters in the near future.