Pierce County, WA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

PCC 14.08.060(M) groups alcohol into the Park Code's list of prohibited activities alongside smoking and cannabis. Subsection M.2 makes it unlawful to display, possess or consume alcoholic beverages in the park system, full stop, unless the drinking happens at a designated location and the people involved have obtained all requisite permits including, but not limited to, the Washington State Liquor Control Board Banquet permit. That means a family picnic with a cooler of beer is unlawful anywhere in a Pierce County park, county fairground or trail system unless the shelter or site has been reserved and a banquet permit secured in advance through the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department.

The prohibition sits inside Chapter 14.08, the county's Park Code, which the Sheriff's Department and Parks Director enforce together under PCC 14.08.130. Because 14.08.060 opens with 'It is unlawful for any person to,' the alcohol ban applies to every park, trail, boat launch, golf course and recreation facility the Department manages, not just a subset. Groups planning a wedding, corporate picnic or reunion that wants alcohol served need to apply for a facility permit under PCC 14.08.040 and 14.08.050 well before the event, since the Director can deny or restrict the permit if the activity would disturb the safety or comfort of other park users.