Harrisburg, PA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 3-347.2 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Harrisburg, Open containers prohibited (Ord. No. 26-1980), has two parts. Subsection A bars any person from transporting or possessing, on his or her person or in a motor vehicle, any beer, wine or alcoholic beverage in an open container in or upon the streets, sidewalks, alleys or public ways of the City. The same ban extends to the parking areas of private shopping centers that are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Police. The reach includes a passenger holding a drink in a parked or moving car, since the text covers possession in a motor vehicle.

Subsection B covers private property. No person can consume or possess beer, wine or alcoholic beverage in an open container in or upon the property of another unless he or she is a guest, licensee or invitee of the owner or occupier. A stoop, lot or yard that belongs to someone else is therefore off limits without that connection.

Other provisions reinforce the rule. Under § 3-341.2.D, appearing in any public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol, to the degree the person may endanger himself, others or property or annoy people nearby, is prohibited conduct when done with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or while recklessly creating a risk of it. In the parks, § 10-301.17 forbids bringing in or possessing any alcoholic beverage, or drinking, at any time, except for the controlled beer sales and consumption at Riverside Stadium and Skyline Stadium under § 10-303.1 and the alcohol allowed in the Museum area of Reservoir Park under § 10-303.2, which requires security and insurance.

The Bureau of Police enforces the open container rule, and § 3-347.99 treats a violation as a summary offense.