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

Article III of Chapter 126 of the Haverford Township Code, adopted 7-8-2013 by Ord. No. 2686, sets up a uniform system of control over alcohol on Township property and in the public ways, places and parking areas of the Township. Section 126-21A makes it unlawful for any person to consume any alcoholic beverage in or upon any public way or place open to use of the public as matter of right for purpose of vehicular and/or pedestrian travel. A customer or patron of a restaurant that complies with the outdoor dining rules in Chapter 182, Zoning, § 182-731B does not violate that subsection.

Section 126-21B turns possession into proof: possession of any open container containing a beverage with any percentage of alcohol whatsoever in or upon the public ways or places of the Township is prima facie evidence of consumption. An open container is defined in § 126-19 as a container other than one with an unbroken seal, or containing a vacuum or pressure obtained during original bottling by a licensed bottler. Section 126-21C extends the rule to privately owned parking areas and shopping center parking areas used for the general public, where it is unlawful to willfully distribute, consume or possess an open container.

Township property is stricter. Under § 126-20A, distribution, consumption and possession of an open container on Township property or within any Township building is prohibited. Section 126-20C bars alcohol on the playfields, athletic fields, parks, playgrounds and grounds of the Community Recreation and Environmental Center, and says the Township shall not issue permits for those areas. A permit is available only for a permitted Township building: the Community Recreation and Environmental Center, the Grange and Nitre Hall.

Section 126-21D lets the Township Manager or a designee waive the public-way prohibitions in writing for festive occasions, holiday celebrations or other civic or promotional functions. For a building permit, § 126-22 requires an application at least 15 days ahead, and a decision within seven business days, with a possible extension of no more than 10 days. A denied organizer can appeal to the Board of Commissioners within five days under § 126-24. Any alcohol the Township authorizes must be supplied by the organizer, since the Township does not provide or sell it.