Bannock County, ID Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Bannock County Code § 12.20.090(B)
- Ban zones
- Parking lots, sidewalks, paths, roads, restrooms
- Exception
- Board-authorized special events with permit
- Penalty
- Infraction, fine up to $300
- Permit revocation
- By board, director, or law enforcement
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2015-3, effective 8-26-15
Summary
In unincorporated Bannock County, drinking alcohol in parking lots, on sidewalks, paths, roads or in restrooms at the county's recreation and events services areas is prohibited outright. Section 12.20.090(B) of the Bannock County Municipal Code otherwise confines alcohol consumption to special events the board of county commissioners has authorized and properly licensed.
B.Alcohol. It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to sell alcohol at the recreation and events services areas without a license, permit and prior authorization of the board. Consumption, possession, custody and control of any alcoholic beverage is subject to the following:1.Alcohol consumption is prohibited in or on parking lots, sidewalks, paths, roads and restrooms in the recreation and events services areas.2.Alcohol consumption shall only be allowed at special events with prior authorization of the board and proper licenses or permits, or for groups or individuals who obtain a special permit. Any group or person issued a permit shall be liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person by reason of the negligence of the group or person whom such permit was issued. The board, director or a law enforcement officer shall have authority to revoke a permit if a violation of any rule or ordinance is found, or upon good cause.
Full Breakdown
Section 12.20.090(B) of the Bannock County Municipal Code regulates alcohol at the county's recreation and events services areas: the Downey Fairgrounds, the Bannock County Events Center and the Portneuf Wellness Complex. It first bars anyone from selling alcohol on the property without a license, permit and the board's prior authorization. It then splits consumption into two rules. Paragraph 1 flatly prohibits alcohol consumption in or on parking lots, sidewalks, paths, roads and restrooms anywhere in the recreation and events areas, no exceptions. Paragraph 2 allows consumption only at special events that carry both the board's prior authorization and a proper license or permit, or for a group or individual holding a special permit; anyone issued that permit is personally liable for loss, damage or injury caused by their group's negligence, and the board, the director or a law enforcement officer can revoke the permit for any rule violation or for good cause.
The rule sits in the same enforcement structure as the rest of Chapter 12.20: the Bannock County Sheriff enforces it at the Downey Fairgrounds, while the Sheriff, Chubbuck Police, Pocatello Police and Idaho Department of Fish and Game share authority at the Events Center and Portneuf Wellness Complex. It applies only on county recreation and events property in unincorporated Bannock County and does not create a general open-container law for the rest of the unincorporated county.
Violations & Fines
Drinking in a parking lot, on a sidewalk, path, road or in a restroom at a Bannock County recreation or events property violates Section 12.20.090(B)(1) and is an infraction under Section 12.20.130(B), with a fine of up to $300 and each day charged separately. Selling alcohol without a license and board authorization is a separate violation of Section 12.20.090(B), and a special-event alcohol permit can be revoked by the board, director or a law enforcement officer for any rule violation or good cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a beer to walk around the Portneuf Wellness Complex grounds?
How can alcohol be served legally at an event there?
Can my special-event alcohol permit be taken away?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bannock County
Compare Bannock County to another location·View the Idaho public conduct overview
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