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San Benito County, CA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Where it applies
Veterans' Memorial Park only
Countywide ban
None outside that park
Waiver available
For county/city/veterans/nonprofit events
Governing sections
§ 9.01.002, § 9.01.003

Summary

Unincorporated San Benito County does not ban public alcohol consumption countywide: the only local restriction is a specific ban on drinking alcoholic beverages within Veterans' Memorial Park.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of San Benito County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Except as provided in § 9.01.003, no person shall consume an alcoholic beverage in the following particularly described public areas of the county: (A) The Veterans' Memorial Park area located east of Memorial Drive, more particularly described as follows.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).

Full Breakdown

Under § 9.01.002, no person may consume an alcoholic beverage within the described Veterans' Memorial Park boundaries, including its Hillcrest Road and Sunnyslope Road parcels and the tot lot/parking area west of Memorial Drive. The Board of Supervisors may waive the ban under § 9.01.003 for county-, City of Hollister-, veterans'-, or nonprofit-sponsored public events held there. Outside this specific park, San Benito County's code does not impose a general open-container or public-drinking prohibition on unincorporated land.

Violations & Fines

No fine amount is stated in § 9.01.002 itself; general code-violation penalties for an infraction or misdemeanor under § 1.01.007 apply absent a specified amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is drinking alcohol in public illegal everywhere in San Benito County?
No. The county's only public-drinking ban applies specifically to Veterans' Memorial Park; there's no general open-container law for the rest of unincorporated county property.
Can alcohol ever be served at Veterans' Memorial Park?
Yes, if the Board of Supervisors grants a waiver under § 9.01.003 for a qualifying event sponsored by the county, Hollister, a veterans organization, or a nonprofit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Benito County

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsLoud Party OrdinanceSome RestrictionsLoitering RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningFew Restrictions

All San Benito County rules

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