Malibu City Council Votes to Ban ‘Party’ Houses

• New Law Sets Event Limit at Four

BY BILL KOENEKER

“We want to get the word out that party houses are banned in Malibu,” said City Attorney Christi Hogin, after the Malibu City Council unanimously voted this week to approve a new ordinance that is designed as an attempt to prohibit party houses, a phenomena last summer that became a plague for many of the neighbors of the homes.
“I’m already getting calls from people looking for party houses,” said Councilmember Andy Stern, who is a Realtor. “They asked me if we were going to pass a law. I told them, I hope so.”
The mechanism to effect a ban is a new ordinance that was approved on first reading that allows residents only four special events per household involving 100 guests or more.
In addition, the soon-to-be law would require a permit for certain events that attract or involve fewer than 100 persons when those events are ones in which there is some commercial element or some aspect of the operation of the event that is likely to impose on the neighborhood.
The so-called party houses became a nightmare for some beach residents, especially last summer along Malibu Road, where big companies such as LG, MTV and Polaroid were buying or leasing houses on the beach and either renting them or making them available to celebrities for parties, drawing out the paparazzi and using product placement to cash in on the events.
Likewise, and not as well publicized, are a few homes on the bluffs in Malibu that city officials describe as “wedding factories.” During the height of the season, every weekend, both days, a wedding would be held, bringing with it all the cars, limos, DJs or bands, catering trucks and guests.
Municipal officials agreed with residents who urged the council to pass the measure right away, though some homeowners originally complained the law did not have enough teeth.
The strategy, according to staff, is that the time is now in March, when corporations and PR firms are planning their party house blitzes in the community, to send a message that party houses would not be allowed.
The city attorney said drafting the law at defining a party house by allowing no more than four events would invite the least challenge.
Council members agreed with Hogin that getting the word out that Malibu has banned party houses would probably have the most impact, with enforcement of the law for scofflaws made easy. “The sheriff comes and stops the party if they don’t have a permit,” said Hogin.
“What is at stake is the integrity of our community,” said Remy Shapiro, who last summer had been deluged by several dozen parties next door to her. “This is not a party city. They are not paying the city. It is costing the city and it is harmful to our reputation.”