Kings County, CA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Age covered
- under 21 only
- Applies to
- unincorporated county only
- Adult open-container
- not separately banned
- Enacted
- Ord. No. 211 (1951)
Summary
Kings County makes it a crime for anyone under 21 to possess or drink alcohol in any public place in the unincorporated county, cars, highways, boats and buildings included, though the rule stops at the city limits.
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 21 years, to have in his possession, or to consume, any alcoholic beverage, as the same is defined under Section 23004, Business and Professions Code, of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, while in any tent, building, automobile, airplane, boat, vessel, garage, highway or any other public place in the county outside of any incorporated municipality in the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Kings County Code § 8-1 bans anyone under 21 from possessing or consuming alcohol, as defined by Business and Professions Code § 23004, in any tent, building, automobile, airplane, boat, vessel, garage, highway or other public place, but only in the unincorporated county, outside Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran and Avenal, which each enforce their own municipal codes. The county code sets no separate general adult open-container ban; state Alcoholic Beverage Control Act rules govern adults in public.
Violations & Fines
Violating the minors' public-alcohol ban carries the county's general penalty under § 1-8: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink alcohol in public in unincorporated Kings County?
Does this rule apply inside Hanford or Lemoore?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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