Broome County, NY Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 222-4(K)(1) of the Broome County Code bars anyone from possessing an opened alcoholic beverage on county buildings and grounds without authorization from the County Executive, Commissioner or Administrator. The parks version, § 281-3(I)(1), is written differently: it allows possession by 'responsible individuals ... in accordance with state statutes,' but gives the Commissioner discretion to eject from the park 'those persons who, at the sole discretion of the Commissioner, are abusing the privilege.' Both sections separately prohibit possessing drugs under the Penal Law unless prescribed by a physician or legally available over the counter.

Section 281-3(I)(3) goes further for parks: with approval of the appropriate Legislature committee, the Commissioner can designate specific park areas where beer or alcohol consumption is prohibited because it has significant adverse effects on facilities, programs or participants, though the same subsection lets the Legislature's committee approve alcohol at charitable fund-raising events even in an otherwise-restricted area. Section 222-4(L)(4) additionally bars anyone from selling or offering beer, liquor or drugs on county buildings and grounds without authorization from the County Executive, Commissioner or Administrator and compliance with State Law.

Together the two chapters mean a visitor cannot assume a beer or cocktail is fine simply because it's a county park or a county office lawn; authorization or 'responsible' behavior recognized by the Commissioner is required, and any area can be posted off-limits.