Pasadena, CA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- PMC § 9.24.010
- Misdemeanor penalty
- up to $500 fine, 6 months jail
- Exception
- licensed sidewalk dining, CD-1/CD-5 only
- Posted-premises open container
- infraction under § 9.24.040
- Applies to
- streets, sidewalks, visible private property
- Enacted
- Ord. 5085 (1972), amended Ord. 6523 (1993)
Summary
Pasadena bans drinking any alcoholic beverage on a public street, alley, sidewalk or right-of-way, and on private property open to public view without the owner's consent, under Section 9.24.010. The only carve-out is for licensed sidewalk dining tables in the Old Pasadena or South Lake subdistricts holding both a sidewalk dining permit and an on-sale liquor license.
No person shall drink within the city limits of Pasadena any alcoholic beverage as defined in Section 23004 of the California Business and Professions Code, in or upon: A.Any street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or any other public right-of-way, except for customers in or upon any sidewalk dining area within the CD-1 (Old Pasadena) or CD-5 (South Lake) subdistricts, as identified in Section 17.33.030 of this code, and as to which sidewalk dining area the abutting property possesses both a valid sidewalk dining occupancy permit pursuant to Chapter 12.13 of this code and a valid on-sale alcoholic beverage license pursuant to Division 9, commencing with Section 23000, of the California Business and Professions Code which includes an expansion of the licensed premises to the dimensions of the sidewalk dining area.B.Private property which is open to public view without the consent of the owner or person in lawful possession or control of said property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 79 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
24, dating to Ordinance 5085 in 1972 and amended by Ordinance 6523 in 1993, bars drinking 'any alcoholic beverage as defined in Section 23004 of the California Business and Professions Code' anywhere on a public street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or right-of-way citywide. 13 and an on-sale alcoholic beverage license under Business and Professions Code Division 9 that has been expanded to cover the dining area. 010(B) separately bans drinking on private property that is open to public view without the property owner's consent, reaching front yards, driveways and similar visible spaces. 040(D).
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 9.24's public drinking ban is a misdemeanor under Section 9.24.020, punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. The narrower open-container offense at posted off-sale liquor premises under Section 9.24.040 is charged separately as an infraction rather than a misdemeanor. Enforcement is typically initiated by the Pasadena Police Department, and the sidewalk-dining exception is void the moment either the dining occupancy permit or the on-sale license lapses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink a beer on a Pasadena sidewalk?
Is drinking in my own front yard illegal in Pasadena?
What is a 'posted premises' violation under Pasadena's alcohol rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
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Public Alcohol Use in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle public alcohol use.