Escambia County, FL Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 6-63 of the Escambia County Code makes it unlawful for any person to consume any alcoholic beverage or possess an open container of any alcoholic beverage while stopping, standing or remaining in or upon any public parking area, whenever that area is open to the view of the general public or accessible to vehicular traffic. "Open container" is defined in § 6-61 as any bottle, can, cup, glass or other receptacle holding an alcoholic beverage that is open, has been opened, has a broken seal, or has had its contents partially removed.

"Alcoholic beverage" means any beverage containing more than one percent alcohol by weight. A related provision, § 6-62, separately bars owners, operators and customers of package stores and food stores selling alcoholic beverages from permitting or engaging in consumption in the parking lots adjacent to those stores. Both sections trace to the county's 1985 Code (§§ 1-2-62, 1-2-63) and sit in Chapter 6, Article III (Parking Areas). Store owners and operators must post warning signs at least two inches tall at every entrance and at the main customer exit under § 6-64, quoting the exact statutory warning language.

The board of county commissioners can grant a special-events exemption under § 6-65 for bona fide events, but applicants must be at least 21, of good moral character, apply at least 30 days ahead, carry insurance, and agree to indemnify the county; a public hearing may be required first.