Lansing, MI Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

04(a)(1) of the Lansing Codified Ordinances, covering Ingham County's county seat and state capital, bars selling, consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages in an open container in the public streets, public places, parks, alleys, sidewalks, City-owned parking facilities, the Turner-Dodge House, or the South Washington Office Complex, except as the section itself allows. Subsection (a)(2) extends the same ban to private parking lots, such as shopping-center lots used by nearby businesses, unless the person carries the lot owner's written permission. 1101 et seq. Lansing carves out real exceptions rather than a blanket ban: the Mayor can approve sale or consumption in City parks for a cultural, ethnic, community, tourist or convention event; no mayoral approval is needed at the Turner-Dodge House, Scott Park, Cooley Gardens, the South Washington Office Complex or Fenner Nature Center; Kircher Field and Ranney Field allow licensed sales tied to adult athletic tournaments; and Groesbeck Golf Course, the Hope Soccer Complex and the City Market permit sales within their concession areas.

1551 to licensed sales and consumption in the streets, alleys, sidewalks and public places within those boundaries, subject to Mayor approval and a Michigan Liquor Control Commission special license. Any permitted sale requires a City Clerk application, personal injury and property damage insurance naming the City as an additional insured, and Department of Parks and Recreation-approved security. Drinks sold in City parks must be served in paper or plastic containers, never glass, under subsection (k).