Island Brewing Co. and the City of Carpinteria are facing a lawsuit from residents arguing that the brewery has violated noise regulations and that the city has failed to enforce such regulations.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Stephen and Mary Eileen Marcussen, who claim that live outdoor music at Island Brewing has disrupted basic activities such as sleeping, working from home, entertaining guests, watching television, and reading.
The lawsuit comes more than a year after Carpinteria amended an ordinance to allow businesses to have outdoor live music and removed a rule that a business would have its license revoked after three citations.
That decision came at the end of a lengthy City Council meeting where the Marcussens, who live 0.2 miles from the brewery’s location at 5049 Sixth St., claimed the music impacted their ability to complete tasks and peacefully enjoy their home.
Numerous patrons, employees and musicians spoke out in defense of Island Brewing Co. owners Paul and Cheryl Wright, arguing that live music events supported local musicians and were good for business.
Island Brewing typically offers live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The lawsuit, filed Sept. 12, claims that Carpinteria received 78 noise complaints related to live music at Island Brewing from March 2024 to January 2025.
The city’s live entertainment business license doesn’t have rules regarding noise level, but the city’s municipal code states that commercial developments can’t produce noise five decibels above “the ambient level of the area.”
The lawsuit alleges that, while the city has allegedly issued several public nuisance citations to Island Brewing, the city hasn’t gone any further to enforce its own municipal code and stop excessive noise.
Juliza Briones, public information officer for the City of Carpinteria, declined to comment for this story.
In the wake of the lawsuit, one of Island Brewing’s patrons, Mark Rose, started a GoFundMe fundraising page to help the owners with their legal expenses.
“Beyond serving great beer, IBC (Island Brewing Company) has been a cornerstone of our community, and one of several businesses bringing live music to locals and visitors alike every week,” Rose wrote. “I’m asking everyone to contribute what they can to help Paul & Cheryl with their legal costs to respond to a lawsuit meant to punish IBC.”
The GoFundMe has a goal of raising $75,000 and had earned more than $7,000 in donations as of Tuesday evening.
“They shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden of legal fees just to keep this community tradition alive,” Rose wrote.
Paul Wright told Noozhawk that he couldn’t comment on the lawsuit but that he was grateful for the support from the community.
“I’m gratified by the response of the community and our friends, including the GoFundMe account that they’ve set up in our name,” Wright said. “It just shows that the citizens of Carpinteria and all of our friends are approving of live outdoor music.”
The Wrights, the Marcussens and the City of Carpinteria are set to appear for a case management conference on Dec. 19 in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
