New Braunfels, TX Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 86-10
- Default rule
- No open container anywhere in city parks
- Sealed-container exception parks
- Prince Solms, Hinman Island, Cypress Bend, River Acres, tuber exit
- Extra parking/roadway ban parks
- Landa, Camp Comal, Fischer, Mission Hill, Zipp
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, fine up to $500
Summary
Drinking alcohol or carrying an open container is banned across every New Braunfels city park and city-owned property, but five named river-access parks allow a sealed non-disposable container, and Landa Park, Camp Comal, Fischer, Mission Hill, and Zipp Family Sports Park add a stricter ban in parking areas and near roadways.
(a)It shall be unlawful for anyone to consume intoxicating liquor or any alcoholic beverage, or possess an open container of intoxicating liquor or alcoholic beverage within the boundaries of any public park or city-owned property within the city limits, with exception of public parks listed in subsection (b) of this section. As used herein, the term "open container" is defined according to Penal Code § 49.031(a)(1). Exception: With regard to Prince Solms Park, Hinman Island Park, Cypress Bend Park, the city-owned tuber exit on the Comal River that borders Lincoln Street and Union Avenue and River Acres Park, the term "open container" does not include a non-disposable container containing an intoxicating liquor or alcoholic beverage provided that there is a lid, cap, cup, plug, top, sucker top, twist top or other device that is used to close the non-disposable container and said container is actually closed by said lid, cap, cup, plug, top, sucker top, twist top or other device and remains closed while it is on one of these city-owned properties.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
031(a)(1). " Subsection (b) then layers a stricter, no-exceptions rule onto five named parks, Landa Park, Camp Comal, Fischer Park, Mission Hill Park, and Zipp Family Sports Park, banning any consumption or possession of alcohol, open or closed, in their designated parking areas or within 25 feet of any roadway. Subsection (c) exempts city-permitted functions where alcohol service is part of the approved activity. A related provision, Section 86-14, separately caps river tubers to one cooler under 30 quarts and bans disposable containers of any kind on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, showing the city treats river recreation and park-grounds drinking as distinct problems addressed by separate sections.
Violations & Fines
Anyone consuming or possessing an open container of alcohol in a New Braunfels city park or on city-owned property, outside the five parks where a sealed non-disposable container is allowed, or anyone with any alcohol at all in the parking areas or within 25 feet of a roadway at Landa Park, Camp Comal, Fischer Park, Mission Hill Park, or Zipp Family Sports Park, commits a misdemeanor under Section 86-10(d), punishable by a fine of up to $500 upon conviction. City-permitted functions where alcohol service is part of the approved activity are exempt under subsection (c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a sealed beer at Prince Solms Park?
Is alcohol banned in Landa Park's parking lot even in a closed container?
What's the penalty for an open container violation in a city park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Braunfels
Texas rules heatmap·Compare New Braunfels to another location·View the Texas public conduct overview
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