Greenwich, CT Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Who is covered
- Minors, defined by State Liquor Control Act
- Where banned
- Any Town-owned or Town-controlled public property
- Fine
- Up to $90 per offense
- Classification
- Infraction, paid to Clerk of Superior Court
- Park exception
- Under-18 allowed with consenting parent present
Summary
Greenwich makes it unlawful for anyone under the legal drinking age to possess or consume alcoholic liquor on any public property in Town, from streets and sidewalks to parks, beaches, boating facilities and school grounds. Code of Ordinances Section 7-19 borrows the State's Liquor Control Act definitions of alcoholic liquor and minor, and violators face an infraction fine of up to $90 per offense, payable to the Clerk of the Superior Court.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any minor to possess or consume any alcoholic liquor while upon or within the premises of any public highway, street, sidewalk, alley or other public way, parking lot, park, playground, beach, boating facility, recreation place or facility, school or school ground or any other area, place, building, structure or property owned, leased by or under the control of the town.(b)For the purpose of this section, "alcoholic liquor" and "minor" shall have the same meanings as in the Liquor Control Act. Sec. 30-1 et seq., as amended, of the General Statutes.(c)Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed ninety dollars ($90.) for each offense, which fine shall be payable to the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Full Breakdown
Section 7-19(a) prohibits any minor from possessing or consuming alcoholic liquor while on or within a long list of public locations: any public highway, street, sidewalk, alley or other public way, a parking lot, park, playground, beach, boating facility, recreation place or facility, school or school ground, or any other area, place, building, structure or property owned, leased by or under the control of the Town. Section 7-19(b) borrows its key terms, defining alcoholic liquor and minor the same way the State's Liquor Control Act does, at Connecticut General Statutes Section 30-1 et seq.
Section 7-19(c) makes a violation an infraction rather than a criminal offense, carrying a fine of up to $90 per offense payable directly to the Clerk of the Superior Court rather than the Town. The ordinance replaced three older sections adopted in 1961 covering alcoholic beverages at recreational facilities, delivery of alcohol to minors, and identification requirements, all repealed when Section 7-19 took effect on March 10, 1986. Greenwich's parks carry a parallel, narrower rule: Section 7-28, item 10 of the Parks and Recreation chapter separately prohibits anyone under 18 from consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages in a Town park unless accompanied by a consenting parent or guardian, and item 9 bars anyone from entering or remaining in a park under the influence of alcohol or drugs at all.
Violations & Fines
A minor found possessing or consuming alcoholic liquor anywhere on Town-controlled public property under Section 7-19 is guilty of an infraction, not a crime, and faces a fine of up to $90 for each offense. The fine is paid to the Clerk of the Superior Court rather than the Town. A separate park-specific violation applies under Section 7-28, item 10, for consuming or possessing alcohol in a park while under 18 without an accompanying, consenting parent or guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal for a minor to drink on a Greenwich street?
How does the ordinance define minor and alcoholic liquor?
Does this law apply to adults with an open container?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greenwich
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