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Fort Worth, TX Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Code section
Sec. 4-6
Where it applies
West 7th Area right-of-way
Penalty
Class C misdemeanor, up to $500
Adopted
Ord. 25836, eff. Nov. 16 2022
Stockyards
Not restricted

Summary

Fort Worth bans possessing an open container or drinking alcohol on any public street, sidewalk, alley or pedestrian way inside the West 7th entertainment district. Everywhere else in the city, including the Stockyards, public drinking stays legal under Texas law.

(b) A person commits an offense if he possesses an open container of, or consumes, an alcoholic beverage in or on any public street, sidewalk, alley or pedestrian way located in the West 7th Area as defined in this section. ... (e) Each violation of Section 4-6 is a Class C Misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 4-6, adopted by Ordinance 25836 on Nov. 8, 2022 (effective Nov. 16, 2022), makes it a Class C misdemeanor to possess an open container or consume alcohol in the public right-of-way within the West 7th Area mapped in Appendix A. Fort Worth Police enforce it, with fines up to $500. Five defenses apply: a city-authorized special event with a TABC permit, being inside a private building, being inside a residence, being within a TABC-licensed on-premises establishment, or a permitted sidewalk cafe. A separate Section 4-5 bans open containers within 1,000 feet of homeless shelters or substance-abuse centers outside the central business district.

Violations & Fines

Possessing an open container or drinking on West 7th public streets, sidewalks, alleys or pedestrian ways is a Class C misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $500, enforced by Fort Worth Police.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink on the street in the Fort Worth Stockyards?
Yes. The Section 4-6 ban applies only to the West 7th Area. Public consumption elsewhere in Fort Worth, including the Stockyards, is not prohibited by city ordinance.
Are there exceptions inside the West 7th zone?
Yes. It is a defense if you are inside a private building or residence, within a TABC-licensed bar's premises, at a permitted sidewalk cafe, or at a city-authorized special event.
What is the fine for violating the West 7th ban?
Each violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.

Sources & Official References

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All Fort Worth rules

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Public Alcohol Use in Nearby Cities

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Arlington, TX
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