Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Public Alcohol Use

Public Conduct

LAMC §41.27 + CA Bus & Prof §25620 prohibit drinking alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, parks, and beaches; penalties and special-event exemptions.

0% permissive37% moderate15% strict(810 locations)

How Public Alcohol Use Rules Differ by Place

810 places covered125 strict296 moderate2 permissive

Vestavia Hills, AL: Vestavia Hills Public Drinking Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Vestavia Hills bans drinking or holding an open container of liquor, wine or beer in any public place inside the city or its police jurisdiction. The only exception is inside a retail…

Yuma, AZ: Yuma Open Container Law

Heavy Restrictions

Yuma bans consuming alcohol in public under City Code Section 71-02: no one may drink spirituous liquors in, upon or adjacent to any public thoroughfare, right-of-way, common mall area…

Butte County, CA: Butte County Butte Creek Open Container Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Along Butte Creek between the PG&E hydroelectric facility above Centerville Dam and the county's southern boundary, Section 7-9.2 bans drinking or carrying an open alcoholic container…

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Open Container and Public Drinking

Few Restrictions

St. Louis allows open containers of alcohol on public sidewalks and streets in much of downtown and Soulard, but bans drinking in vehicles, city parks (without permit), and during…

Irving, TX: Irving Open Container and Public Drinking Rules

Few Restrictions

Irving has enacted no city ordinance against open containers or drinking alcohol in public. The subject is left to Texas state law: Penal Code Section 49.031 makes possessing an open…

Huntsville, AL: Huntsville Open Container Ban

Some Restrictions

Huntsville bans drinking or holding an open alcoholic beverage in any public place unless it's a licensed premises or an approved special event.

Cities & Counties with Public Alcohol Use Rules

552 locations

Alabama

Huntsville, ALSome RestrictionsVestavia Hills, ALHeavy Restrictions

Arizona

Chandler, AZSome RestrictionsScottsdale, AZSome RestrictionsSedona, AZSome RestrictionsSurprise, AZSome RestrictionsYuma, AZHeavy Restrictions

Arkansas

Fort Smith, ARSome RestrictionsSpringdale, ARSome Restrictions

California

Alameda County, CASome RestrictionsButte County, CAHeavy RestrictionsCamarillo, CAHeavy RestrictionsCarson, CAHeavy RestrictionsCorona, CAHeavy RestrictionsEl Cajon, CAHeavy RestrictionsEl Dorado County, CAHeavy Restrictions

Missouri

St. Louis, MOFew Restrictions

Texas

Irving, TXFew Restrictions

Other Public Conduct Topics

Aggressive Panhandling

LAMC §41.59 prohibits panhandling that involves intimidation, blocking, or following a person, including penalties and how it differs from passive solicitation.

Public Urination

LAMC §41.47.2 prohibits urinating or defecating in public, including the citation amount, exemptions for medical conditions, and where to find restroom alternatives.

Skateboarding Rules

LAMC §56.15 and §63.44 limits on skateboarding on sidewalks, in parks, and in commercial corridors, including helmet requirements and skate-park designations.

Loud Party Ordinance

LAMC §41.40 unruly-gathering ordinance allowing police to cite hosts for second-response calls, including escalating fines and permit-revocation triggers.

Loitering Rules

Constitutional limits on loitering ordinances post-Papachristou and Morales, and what conduct LA can still penalize (e.g., loitering with intent to commit specific crimes).

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

LAMC §41.50 + LA County smoking bans in parks, beaches, restaurants, outdoor dining, and within 25 ft of business entrances; enforcement and signage rules.

Jaywalking

CA AB-2147 (Freedom to Walk Act, 2023) restricting jaywalking citations to immediate-danger situations, and how LAPD enforces the new standard.

Public Marijuana Use

CA Health & Safety Code §11362.3 prohibits cannabis use in public, including parks, sidewalks, and inside vehicles; penalties and consumption-lounge exceptions.