New Haven, CT Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 18-39 defines an 'open container' broadly: any open bottle, any bottle whose liquor-tax seal has been broken whether or not restoppered, any can opened in any way, any keg or dispensing device set up to dispense, or any glass, cup, jar or other vessel. 'Public area' covers parks (subject to Board of Park Commissioners regulation), plazas, malls, arenas, stadiums, cemeteries and other publicly owned places open to the public, while 'parking area' means any lot or accommodation for parking motor vehicles open to public use, with or without a charge.

Subsection (b)(1) prohibits consuming alcoholic liquor or possessing an open container of it anywhere on or within the limits of a public highway (including sidewalks), a public area, or a parking area in New Haven. The ordinance specifically extends the ban to parked vehicles sitting on a public highway, sidewalk or parking area, so drinking inside a car parked at a metered space or municipal lot is a violation just as if the person were standing on the sidewalk. Subsection (b)(2) separately bars consuming or possessing an open container inside any building or room that dispenses liquor without a Department of Liquor Control license, when that sale or dispensing would itself violate Chapter 30 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

The ordinance carves out one exception under subsection (c): consumption and open-container possession are permitted during a function, festival, event or celebration held on a public highway, public area or parking area under a law, ordinance, resolution or permit that specifically authorizes liquor sale and consumption there, such as a licensed street festival. Outside that permitted-event window, subsection (d) sets the penalty at a fine of not more than ninety-nine dollars ($99.00) for each offense.