Fort Lauderdale, FL Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 5-3 makes it unlawful to consume alcohol or manually possess any unsealed or open container of alcohol while in a public place, or in a vehicle in a public place, within the beach area, defined as the zone bounded east by a line fifty yards past the Atlantic Ocean shoreline, west by the Intracoastal Waterway, north by East Oakland Park Boulevard, and south by the Port Everglades Inlet, with the privately owned Bonnet House beach excluded. Section 5-4 extends the same consumption and open-container ban to every public street and sidewalk in the city, except inside a premises licensed to sell alcohol for on-site consumption or at a special event approved under Code section 15-183.

Groups wanting to serve alcohol at a public event on the beach must submit a written request to the parks and recreation department at least 60 days ahead, obtain a state temporary liquor license, execute a city agreement at least 30 days before the event covering security, sanitation and $1,000,000 in liability coverage, and get police, fire-rescue, public works and development services sign-off. The city commission can approve or deny any request based on public interest, safety or welfare. Vehicles parked in the beach area count as a public place for purposes of the ban, so an open container inside a parked car on beach-area streets is also a violation.