Alcohol Education & Party Smart Tips
Corvallis is home to Oregon State University and faces many of the challenges that are common to large college towns. The Corvallis Police Department acknowledges that students enjoy having a good time during their time in Corvallis, but it's important to respect your neighbors by following local laws. If you and your friends are enjoying a non-disruptive party that doesn't involve criminal activity, you'll probably never hear from CPD – and we want to keep it that way.
CPD's Community Livability Unit conducts outreach to neighborhood organizations, student organizations, residence halls or any other interested group to provide information about livability topics, including:
- Noise and nuisance ordinances
- Liquor laws and related violations
- Crimes that often accompany large, uncontrolled parties
- DUII prevention
- Advice on how to host a non-disruptive party
Each presentation allows time for question and answer periods. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, contact the Community Livability Unit at 541-766-6924 or community.livability@corvallisoregon.gov.
Party Smart Tips
- Before hosting a party, visit surrounding neighbors to inform them of plans for a party. Party hosts should make every effort to keep the entire party on their own premises, including noise, litter, parking, etc. Provide your phone number to neighbors and be available to remedy any complaints.
- Do not invite people you do not know to a party. The better you know people, the more likely they are to respond to your expectations and requests.
- Do not advertise parties to the general public (i.e. social media). Large parties usually get out of control and the hosts have a very difficult time maintaining order. You (the party host) are responsible for what occurs.
- Always provide non-alcoholic beverages and food as an alternative to alcohol.
- Do not allow underage drinking. Providing alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor offense and carries a maximum fine of $6,250 + court costs and up to a year in jail.
- Keep the party under control and be a respectful neighbor. If the party is outside, please remember noise carries more than you think, especially at night. The City's noise ordinance states that you cannot have any unreasonable noise or amplified sound which carries 50 feet or greater. If there is any noise that is plainly audible from the street or adjacent property then you are subject to a noise violation citation. The police are under no obligation to give you a warning. The fine can range from $250 to $1,250 + court costs for the first offense. Additionally, your landlord will be notified every time there is any type of violation on your property, if applicable, OSU Student Conduct will also be notified.
- Noise mitigation: Keep volume and bass on stereo at a reasonable level; keep windows and doors shut
- Make sure you clean up any litter that is generated from your party immediately.
- Do not allow anyone to drive home if intoxicated. A host can be held civilly and criminally liable for the intoxicated person's actions. Know when to stop serving alcohol. Encourage people to utilize taxis and/or ride share to ensure no intoxicated individuals are operating vehicles.
- Do not possess or provide false identification to a police officer or liquor establishment. Doing so constitutes various state laws dependent on the content of the false identification.
- Do not sell alcohol. It is illegal to have an unlicensed cash bar. It is also illegal to sell cups, have a cover charge or charge for a band or other entertainment and "give away" the alcohol.
- Do not have a party on a regular basis. Your neighbors will become less and less tolerant of the activities surrounding the party.
- Do not carry open containers of alcoholic beverages in public. This is illegal in Corvallis, even if you are 21.
- Have sober people at the party that are monitoring activity and can provide rides to those that have had too much to drink.
