Sacramento County, CA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- §§ 9.93.010–.020, Sacramento County Code
- Covers
- Parks, streets, sidewalks, posted land
- Penalty
- Infraction under § 9.93.050
- Exception
- Licensed or permitted events only
Summary
Sacramento County bans drinking alcohol and carrying an open container in any county-owned public place, including parks, streets, sidewalks and posted regional park land.
In addition to the prohibitions set forth in Section 9.36.057.5, or any successor section, it is unlawful for any person to consume beer, wine, or any intoxicating liquor in any County owned public place. Public place shall include County parks and lands and facilities owned by any recreational and park district, or any regional park or open-space district and posted to prohibit the consumption of alcohol pursuant to Section 9.36.057.5 or any successor section.
b. "Public space" also includes, but is not limited to, lands, buildings, streets, sidewalks, alleys, highways, or public courts. (SCC 1206 § 1, 2002)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 9.93.010 makes it unlawful to consume beer, wine, or liquor in any county-owned public place, which includes county parks and posted lands of regional park and open-space districts. Section 9.93.020 separately bans possessing an opened, seal-broken, or partly emptied alcohol container in the same places, and defines 'public space' broadly to include streets, sidewalks, alleys, highways, and public courts. Both offenses are infractions under § 9.93.050. The rules don't apply where a business license or event permit expressly authorizes drinking, per § 9.93.040.
Violations & Fines
Consuming alcohol or carrying an open container in a county-owned public place is an infraction under § 9.93.050, regardless of intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink alcohol in a Sacramento County park?
Does the open-container ban cover public streets and sidewalks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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