San Jacinto, CA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

The rule in § 9.04.010(A) is about drinking in specific public locations: a public sidewalk, street, highway, alleyway, park or playground in the city. The word is "wilfully," and the section states that it applies whether the person is or is not in or upon any automobile, vehicle or conveyance. Sitting in a car on a public street with a drink in hand is therefore treated the same as standing on the sidewalk with one. The text of § 9.04.010 prohibits drinking; it does not contain a separate clause about merely carrying or possessing an open container.

Subsection B supplies the definition. Intoxicating liquor is construed to include alcohol, brandy, whiskey, rum, gin, beer, ale, porter and wine, and in addition any spirituous, vinous, malt or fermented liquor, liquids or compounds, whether medicated, proprietary, patented or not, and by whatever name called. A product does not escape the rule by carrying a brand name that sounds like a tonic or a medicine.

The section prints no penalty of its own, so the general penalty chapter fills the gap. Under § 1.24.010 a violation of a city ordinance is a misdemeanor unless the violation is made an infraction by ordinance. Section 1.24.030 sets infraction fines at not more than $100 for a first violation, not more than $200 for a second violation of the same ordinance within one year, and not more than $500 for each additional violation within one year.

Minors face a separate chapter. Chapter 9.24 makes it unlawful for anyone under eighteen to consume alcohol, alcoholic beverages, tobacco or marijuana, and § 9.24.030 punishes a first conviction by a fine of not more than $100, participation in a substance abuse program and community service hours. A second conviction carries a fine of not more than $250 with the same program and service requirements, and a third or subsequent conviction, if the minor has wilfully refused to comply, a fine of not more than $500. Section 9.24.040 makes it unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly allow or permit a minor to violate that chapter.