CYPRESS : Law Bans Admission Fees at House Parties

A new city law aimed at curbing “flyer parties” is now in effect.

Flyer parties are advertised by handbills, and admission is charged. The city’s new ordinance makes it illegal to charge admission “to any party conducted in a residential zone” of the city.

The City Council, at its Sept. 26 meeting, unanimously voted for the new ordinance as an “urgency” measure, which goes into effect immediately; regular ordinances become law after 30 days.

The council responded to community concern over what police said was a flyer party on Aug. 27. That party, advertised in handbills and held in the 10300 block of Ethel Street, resulted in gunshots, but no injuries were reported. Cypress police said 150 people attended, and that the average age was 14. In discussing ways to halt flyer parties, council members were told on Sept. 12 that freedom-of-speech rights make it very difficult to restrict flyers and handbills. But the council was told that some cities, including Los Alamitos, have had success by forbidding admission fees to parties.

Violation of Cypress’ law can result in a $500 fine and up to six months in jail.