Burke County, NC Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 50-116 makes it unlawful to consume or display any beverage having alcoholic content, including beer and wine, on county parks and recreation property, except where and when specifically authorized by permit or otherwise. The following section, § 50-117, backs up the alcohol rule with a disorderly conduct provision: it is separately unlawful to enter or remain within the limits of county property while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, and to act in a boisterous, abusive, threatening, indecent or otherwise disorderly manner that unreasonably disturbs others.

Read together, the two sections mean casual drinking on county park grounds, at a picnic, ballfield or trail, is off-limits by default; an event organizer who wants alcohol available needs the same kind of permit the parks and recreation department issues under § 50-103 and the vendor authorization the director grants under § 50-122 before beverages having alcoholic content can be served or displayed. S. 00 civil penalty, issued as a written citation by an official the county manager designates, including sheriff's deputies, payable to the county finance officer within 72 hours, with each day of continuing violation counted as its own offense.