Washington County, MN Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Chapter III, Section 1 of Parks Ordinance #218 sets four separate prohibitions governing alcohol and intoxicating substances on county park and conservation-area property. First, no one may serve, possess, display, or consume any alcoholic beverage within a park or conservation area, unless otherwise authorized by use permit (§ 1(a)), meaning alcohol is banned by default and only a Parks Division permit for a specific event or use can override it. Second, the section separately bars using, manufacturing, selling, giving away, bartering, exchanging, distributing, or transferring intoxicating or controlled substances, carving out an exception only for medication lawfully prescribed by a licensed prescriber (§ 1(b)).

Third, being under the influence to the point of intoxication, or to a degree that costs someone their motor skills, consciousness, or otherwise risks injury to themselves or other visitors, is separately unlawful (§ 1(c)). 08 in a park or conservation area violates the section regardless of visible impairment (§ 1(d)). Alcoholic Beverage is defined in Chapter I to include any intoxicating beverage as defined by Minnesota law along with beer and wine, so the ban reaches the full range of beer, wine, and liquor, not just hard alcohol.