Report an Unruly Gathering (Red Tag Ordinance)

An unruly gathering is defined as a gathering of five (5) or more persons on any private property, including property used to conduct business, in a manner which causes a disturbance of the quiet enjoyment of private or public property by any person or persons. Such disturbances include, but are not limited to, excessive noise or traffic, obstruction of public streets by crowds or vehicles, drinking in public, the service of alcohol to minors or consumption of alcohol by minors, fighting, disturbing the peace, and littering.

Tucson City Code Section 16-32 Unruly Gathering

How to report

Step 1.Call 911

“I want to report an unruly gathering.” (You may remain anonymous.)

Step 2.Say where it's occurring

Provide the exact address.

Step 3.Describe what you see and hear

For example: "I see minors drinking alcohol." "There's loud music – I can't sleep." "There's a car parked blocking driveways." "People are fighting." "The party is creating trash down our street."

What happens next

Tucson City Code Section 16-32 Unruly Gatherings was adopted to discourage loud and unruly gatherings by penalizing those responsible for creating this public nuisance.

Step 1.Red Tag Posting

The premises at which the gathering occurred will receive notice of an unruly gathering posting that must remain visible on the premises for 180 days.

Step 2.Citation and/or Arrest

Violators will receive a citation and/or be arrested depending on the violation. An unruly gathering is a civil infraction. Parties liable include people in attendance, property owners, occupants, tenants, or any sponsors of the gathering.

Step 3.Dispersal

Persons attending the gathering may be required to leave.

Penalties

Step 1.First Offense Fines

Unruly Gathering citations have a minimum mandatory fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Step 2.Subsequent Offense Fines

Reoccurrences will result in a mandatory fine of seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00) for the first reoccurrence, one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for the second reoccurrence, and one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for each third or subsequent reoccurrence.

Step 3.Red Tag Removal Fine

The removal, defacing, or concealment of a red tag notice is a civil infraction and will result in a one hundred dollar ($100.00) fine.

Step 4.University of Arizona Students

Be aware that the Dean of Students Office will be notified of any U of A students found in violation of an unruly gathering. Depending on the situation, a student may receive a warning or additional sanctions from the university.

How to contest a Red Tag

Step 1.Request a hearing

An owner or occupant may contest the posting by filing a written request for a hearing at Tucson City Court at 103 East Alameda Street within 10 calendar days.

Step 2.Request permission to remove the Red Tag

An owner may also petition the Court for permission to remove the Notice after the owner has taken actions necessary to prevent the occurrence of a subsequent unruly gathering at this location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the tag was damaged or fell off?

Please contact the Red Tag Unit at 520-837-7318. If leaving a message, include your name, address, and phone number for follow up.

Who can be cited?

Anyone in attendance, owners, occupants, or tenants of the premises, and sponsors can be cited for an unruly gathering.

My neighbor removed a red tag early.

Please contact the Red Tag Unit at 520-837-7318.

If leaving a message, please provide the address where the tag was posted. Your name and any other information provided will be kept confidential.

I've met the required 180 days of posting. Can I remove the tag?

You may remove the tag after the date indicated on your Red Tag Notice. If you have questions, please contact the Red Tag Unit at 520-837-7318.

My tenant received a red tag and has since vacated the property, Can the tag be removed?

The Red Tag may not be removed before the 180 days have passed unless permission is granted by the court. A petition may be filed at Tucson City Court, 103 East Alameda Street, to request that permission.

There is no such thing as a “Red Tag Ticket.” A red tag is a notice that is placed after an unruly gathering violation.

If you have questions about Red Tags, please contact:

The Tucson Police Department Red Tag Unit
1310 West Miracle Mile
520-837-7318
RedTag@tucsonaz.gov