Grant County, WI Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited acts
- Consuming alcohol or possessing an open container
- Where it applies
- Eight named Grant County grounds, including the Courthouse
- Maximum forfeiture
- Not to exceed $500 plus statutory costs
- Who can cite
- Any law enforcement officer of Grant County
- Prosecuted by
- District Attorney's office
- Code section
- Grant County Code § 206-13
Summary
Grant County Code § 206-13 prohibits consuming alcoholic beverages or possessing an open container of alcohol while on eight named sets of county grounds in Grant County, Wisconsin: the Courthouse, Social Services, Orchard Manor, Sheriff's Department, United Community Services, Land Conservation, Highway Department and Administrative Building. Each violation carries a forfeiture of up to $500 plus statutory costs.
No person shall consume alcoholic beverages or possess any open containers containing alcoholic beverages while present on the Grant County Courthouse grounds, Social Services' grounds, Orchard Manor grounds, Sheriff's Department grounds, United Community Services' grounds, Land Conservation grounds, Highway Department grounds, or the Grant County Administrative Building grounds.
Full Breakdown
Section 206-13 of the Code of Grant County, titled "Drinking on public grounds," is a location-specific rule adopted by the County Board of Supervisors. It does two things on the listed grounds: it bars consuming alcoholic beverages, and it bars possessing any open containers containing alcoholic beverages. A sealed container carried across the lot is not described by the text, but a drink in hand or an opened can in a vehicle parked on the grounds is.
The section lists these places by name: the Grant County Courthouse grounds, Social Services' grounds, Orchard Manor grounds, Sheriff's Department grounds, United Community Services' grounds, Land Conservation grounds, Highway Department grounds, and the Grant County Administrative Building grounds. The text prints no exceptions, no permit process and no event waiver. It does not name streets, sidewalks or county parks, so a person looking at a public place outside those eight sets of grounds in unincorporated Grant County has to look to a different provision or to a town, city or village ordinance.
Other alcohol rules sit nearby in Chapter 206. Section 206-14 addresses underage persons and sets the legal drinking age at twenty-one years of age. Section 206-14.1 sets closing hours: a Class B licensed premises cannot remain open in Grant County between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and between 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with New Year's Day excepted.
Enforcement follows § 206-17. The District Attorney's office is authorized to prosecute violations, and any law enforcement officer of Grant County can issue a citation that contains the information required by § 66.0113, Wis. Stats. Cash deposits, costs and assessments go to the Grant County Clerk of Circuit Court.
Violations & Fines
Section 206-17C subjects each violation of a provision of Chapter 206 to a forfeiture not to exceed $500 plus statutory costs. Statutory costs include the penalty assessment, jail assessment, and the crime laboratories and drug enforcement assessment (§ 206-17E). A violator under 14 years of age does not pay the penalty assessment, jail assessment or crime laboratories assessment in the cash deposit (§ 206-17F).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Grant County is drinking banned under § 206-13?
Is an unopened container covered?
What is the penalty for drinking on county grounds?
Does the rule cover drinking in the towns' own parks or streets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grant County
Compare Grant County to another location·View the Wisconsin public conduct overview
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