Last week, the Brentwood City Council adopted a “unlawful or social nuisance gathering” ordinance to help enforce laws.
Mayor Susannah Meyer explained the ordinance was to allow police and staff to have an easier time addressing concerns that were harder to enforce in the past
The ordinance now gives staff the ability to first issue a warning, followed by fines of $100, $200 or $500 per each violation in a 12-month period.
Vice Mayor Pa’Tanisha Pierson, however, questioned the use of “unruly” in the title of the ordinance
“I was the first one to second a social nuisance ordinance. I am not against or opposed to us stopping behavior that is not consistent with the law that causes a nuisance,” explained Pierson. “What I am against is when we have language that is not clearly defined that can impact marginalized groups.”
She said certain terms such as “unruly vs. a social nuisance” can be used to create circumstances against marginalized groups.
“One person’s definition of unruly may not look like the other persons definition of unruly,” explained Pierson. “Once I speak up here, all of a sudden I am anti, a person who is a judge, a person who taught POST, a person who taught police explorers, I am not pro-crime. That is the stupidest mess I have ever heard… its stupid. What I am here, and what I consistently stand for, is for is diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.”
Pierson said while on the dais, she wanted to ensure they are not using terminology that will impact marginalized groups. She was for the ordinance, but wanted to be careful for the definitions being used. She agreed there were definitions but the word “unruly” without context was not consistent.
She wanted unruly removed as it’s based on each persons own view and through each persons own lenses. She asked to change the title to remove “unruly” and replace it with “social nuisance”.
Councilmember Jovita Menedoza said there was a definition being used and if she was against the definition.
Pierson said she was not against the definition, just the use of unruly in the ordinance.
Mendoza didn’t see an issue noting to her, it’s the excessive noise and traffic, public drunkenness and harassment. She said if they didn’t have the definitions, she could see the point but it was in the ordinance.
Mayor Meyer suggested a compromise by simply changing the title of the ordinance and keeping the definitions. The council agreed.
The item was approved in a 5-0 vote.
- Original Name: unlawful and social nuisance gatherings
- 2nd Reading name: unlawful and unruly gatherings
- Final Name: unlawful and social nuisance gatherings
According to the Ordinance:
“Unlawful loud or unruly gathering” means a gathering of two or more persons on private or public property whose loud or unruly conduct constitutes a substantial disturbance of the quiet enjoyment of public or private property, and generally threatens the public health, safety, quiet enjoyment of property or general welfare. Unlawful loud or unruly gatherings are frequently accompanied by, but not limited to, the following types of conduct:
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- Excessive noise or traffic;
- Public drunkenness or unlawful drinking in public;
- Harassment of passersby;
- Indecent exposure;
- Sale of stolen goods;
- Public urination or defecation;
- Theft;
- Assault or battery;
- Acts of vandalism;
- Excessive littering;
- Obstruction of public streets or rights-of-way by people or vehicles;
- Creating or causing loud or unreasonable noise, including, but not limited to, noise from fireworks, incendiary devices, and music, which disturbs the peace, quiet, and comfort of the community, or any portion thereof;
- Curfew violations as defined in Chapter 9.68;
- The illegal sale of controlled substances or other illegal drugs and substances that create a public nuisance as defined in Civil Code Section 3479 et seq.;
- The frequent gathering, or coming and going, of people who have an intent to engage in the illegal purchase or illegal use of controlled substances on the premises;
- The occurrence of prostitution;
- Violent criminal acts, whether or not a criminal case is filed, including, but not limited to, rape, attempted rape, robbery, battery, homicide, shooting, kidnapping, or arson;
- Unlawful activities of a criminal street gang (as defined in Penal Code Section 186.20 et seq.);
- Allowing the occupancy load to exceed the permitted number within a public assembly, as established by the California Building Code;
- The maintenance, use, rental or lease of any premises, or subunit thereof, including single-family dwellings, where persons are allowed to congregate, gather or loiter in such a manner as to disturb the peace of other persons lawfully on the property itself or lawfully in the vicinity of the property;
- The firing of gunshots or brandishing of weapons by a resident or by a guest of a resident;
- The occurrence of any criminal activity that threatens the life, health, safety or welfare of the residents of the property, neighbors or the public;
- Loud and unruly conduct does not include any activity that is:
- Protected by Article I, Section 4 of the California Constitution;
- Protected by the First or Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution;
- Preempted by state or federal law; or
- Conduct constituting domestic violence.
Penalties
- First a warning: The warning shall remain in effect for 12 months from the date of issuance and shall apply to subsequent violations occurring at the same premises.
- First Fine: $100
- Second Fine: $200
- Additional: $500
The item was brought forward back in February by Councilmember Faye Maloney which according to the staff report was with the stated purposed of a new ordinance was to, among other things, create an administrative process to address repeated criminal or nuisance activities on properties located within the City.
On May 12, 2026, after discussion, the City Council voted 4-1 (Vice Mayor Pierson voting against) to introduce and waive the first reading of the Ordinance
