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Racine County, WI Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

General rule
No alcohol in county parks/parkways
Exception
Committee-designated beer garden areas
Exception
Areas with county-licensed alcohol sales
Special site
Racine Harbor Park designated areas
Governing body
Public works committee approval required

Summary

Racine County bars bringing in or consuming alcohol in county parks and parkways except in committee-designated areas or licensed venues.

City-specific rules exist: Burlington has its own public alcohol use rules that differ from Racine County's county-level regulations. If you live in Burlington, check the city-specific page instead.

Except as provided in (b), (c) and (d), no person shall bring into, possess or consume any spirit, wine, fermented malt beverage or liquor in any park, recreation area or parkway. The public works committee is hereby authorized to designate areas where only fermented malt beverages shall be allowed upon the written permission of the committee...

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).

Full Breakdown

County code bans possessing or consuming any spirit, wine, fermented malt beverage or liquor in county parks, recreation areas or parkways. The public works committee can designate fermented-malt-beverage-only zones, including temporary beer gardens approved by the committee and county board. The ban does not apply where a county licensee sells such beverages, and Racine Harbor Park allows wine, spirits, liquor and malt beverages in designated areas with written committee or beer-garden approval.

Violations & Fines

Violations of park regulations carry fines under Sec. 14-51: not less than $1.00 nor more than $200.00 plus prosecution costs, or jail up to 30 days if unpaid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink beer at a Racine County park?
Only in areas the public works committee has designated, such as an approved temporary beer garden, or where a county licensee sells alcohol on-site.
Is wine or liquor ever allowed in county parks?
Yes, in designated areas of Racine Harbor Park with written permission from the public works committee or an approved beer garden application.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Racine County

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsSkateboarding RulesSome RestrictionsOutdoor Smoking RestrictionsSome RestrictionsLoitering RulesSome RestrictionsAggressive PanhandlingSignificant RestrictionsLoud Party OrdinanceSome RestrictionsPublic Marijuana UseHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome Restrictions

All Racine County rules

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Public Alcohol Use in Cities Across Racine County

Burlington, WI