Corona, CA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 9.22.020 prohibits selling or consuming any alcoholic beverage, as defined in Business and Professions Code §23004, on any public street, alley, sidewalk, parkway, city facility or other public place, whether or not the person is in a vehicle. The city carved out a specific list of exceptions tied to city-permitted use: indoor areas and the front lawn of the Historic Civic Center at 815 West 6th Street, indoor areas of the Circle City Center, City Hall's indoor areas and Council Board Room balcony and south lawn, the Corona Public Library's community rooms, the Municipal Airport, the Auburndale Recreation Center, the Victoria Community Center, and the Senior Center's indoor and outdoor patio, each subject to a city special event permit or the City Manager's administrative policy for that site.

Section 9.22.040 is a separate, broader offense: it is unlawful to possess in any public place any can, bottle or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that has been opened, had its seal broken, or had its contents partially removed, regardless of whether the person is actually drinking from it. This 'open container' provision does not require proof of actual consumption. Chapter 9.22 also separately bans appearing in public while intoxicated under §9.22.010, and selling liquor to an already-intoxicated person under §9.22.030, citing Penal Code §647(f) as the related state offense for public intoxication.