Clearwater, FL Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

City Code Sec. 31, "Prohibited acts," is the governing open-container law. Subsection (2) makes it a violation to consume alcohol or possess an opened or unsealed container on property controlled by a licensee outside the licensed sales area. Subsection (3) extends the ban to within 500 feet of a licensed premises, measured in a straight line from the nearest licensed structure to the violation, exempting enclosed buildings, another licensed establishment's consumption area, or residential property. S. 003(53) definition, which sweeps in mall, strip-center, convenience-store, hotel and motel lots); on other publicly owned property unless rented to a private party or authorized by the owning agency; and on any part of the Courtney Campbell Recreation Area.

Exceptions apply only under an alcoholic beverage special event permit issued under Secs. 91, an outdoor cafe permit under the Community Development Code, or a state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco license covering that location. Subsection (5) separately bans bottle clubs citywide. The section traces to Code 1980 Sec. 17 and was last amended by Ord. No. 9358-20 in February 2020.