Bensalem, PA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 54-42 bans drinking liquor, low-alcohol beverages, or malt and brewed beverages on any public street or sidewalk, public park, playground, greenbelt, stairwell, stairway, doorway visible to the public, public lot, private parking lot open to public use, school yard, or school parking lot, or inside a vehicle operated or parked on those areas. Section 54-43 separately bans mere possession of an open container of the same beverages in the same public locations, so an unopened but uncapped bottle in a park is enough to violate the article even without drinking.

Section 54-41 defines an open container broadly, covering any bottle, can, cup, glass, flask, thermos, or keg that has been perforated, uncapped, uncorked, or otherwise unsealed, and defines liquor as any alcoholic, spirituous, vinous, or fermented beverage over one-half of one percent alcohol by volume. Section 54-44 carves out one exception: enclosed areas of premises licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, for patrons of that licensee. Section 54-45 makes every violation a breach of the peace punishable, upon conviction before a magistrate or court, by a fine of not less than $25.00 and not more than $300.00 plus costs of prosecution, with imprisonment of up to 30 days if the fine and costs go unpaid.