Anoka County, MN Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinance
- Anoka County Ord. No. 2018-1, Ch. III §1
- Allowed
- Beer and wine only, without a Permit
- Barred
- Kegs/cases without Permit; drinking in lots, roads, trails
- Underage
- No sale/purchase/furnishing to anyone under 21
- Penalty
- Petty misdemeanor (Ch. VIII §2)
Summary
Anoka County parks allow only beer and wine, and only if consumed within Minnesota's laws on service and age; any other alcoholic beverage is barred entirely unless a permit says otherwise. Ordinance No. 2018-1 also bans bringing kegs or cases into a park without a permit and bars any beer or wine in parking lots, on roadways, or on trails.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
a. Serve, possess or consume any alcoholic beverage within a park in violation of Minnesota Statutes; or
b. Serve, possess, or consume any alcoholic beverage, except beer and wine within a park, unless otherwise authorized by Permit; or
c. Use, manufacture, possess, constructively possess, sell, give away, barter, exchange, distribute, or otherwise transfer any controlled substance, except on a lawful prescription by a person licensed by law to prescribe and administer controlled substances; or
d. Inhale, breathe, or drink or be or become intoxicated by reason of inhaling, breathing, or drinking any substance defined as "glue"; or
e. Sell, barter, furnish, or give alcoholic beverages to a person under 21 years of age; or
f. Purchase or attempt to purchase any alcoholic beverage, if under the age of 21; or
g. Induce a person under the age of 21 years to purchase or procure any alcoholic beverage; or
h. Possess or bring beer or wine into a park, in large quantities (e.g., kegs, barrels, case lots) for
personal consumption without a Permit; or
i. Sell, buy, give, receive, or consume beer or wine in parking areas, on park roadways, or on park
trails; or
j. Consume or display any alcoholic beverage at sites where the Parks and Recreation Department
or its agent is a licensed vendor of alcoholic beverages, unless purchased at that site, or authorized by Permit; or
Full Breakdown
Chapter III, Section 1 of Ordinance No. 2018-1 sets the county park system's alcohol rules. Subsection (a) bars serving, possessing, or consuming any alcoholic beverage in a park in violation of Minnesota Statutes, and subsection (b) goes further: within a park, only beer and wine may be served, possessed, or consumed at all, unless a Permit authorizes something else. Subsection (h) separately bans bringing beer or wine into a park in large quantities, the ordinance names kegs, barrels, and case lots, for personal consumption without a Permit, and subsection (i) bars selling, buying, giving, receiving, or consuming beer or wine in parking areas, on park roadways, or on park trails regardless of quantity.
Subsections (e), (f), and (g) add the underage rules: it is unlawful to sell, barter, furnish, or give alcohol to anyone under 21, for anyone under 21 to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol, and to induce someone under 21 to buy or procure alcohol. Subsection (j) bars displaying or consuming alcohol at any site where the Parks and Recreation Department or its agent holds the liquor license, unless it was purchased there or a Permit authorizes it. Together the sections mean a family picnic in an Anoka County park may bring a six-pack or a bottle of wine, but a keg for a graduation party, hard liquor of any kind, or drinking in the parking lot or on a trail all require a Permit or are barred outright.
Violations & Fines
Any violation of the Chapter III alcohol rules is a petty misdemeanor under Chapter VIII, Section 2, enforceable by the Anoka County Sheriff, local police, or authorized park employees, who may issue a warning, eject the violator from the park, or refer the matter for a fine and possible imprisonment as state law otherwise classifies the offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring wine to a picnic at an Anoka County park?
Can I bring a keg for a party?
Can I drink in the parking lot before hiking?
Is drinking allowed at concession stands that sell alcohol?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anoka County
Compare Anoka County to another location·View the Minnesota public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.