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ORDINANCE NO. 3424
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CORONA ADDING CHAPTER 9.23 (DOWNTOWN
ENTERTAINMENT ZONE) TO THE CORONA MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ESTABLISH AN ENTERTAINMENT ZONE PURSUANT
TO CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 969
WHEREAS, the City of Corona, California ("City") is a municipal corporation, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, effective January 1, 2025, Senate Bill 969 authorizes cities and counties to create, by ordinance, entertainment zones to enable restaurants and bars to sell open containers of approved alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption within the entertainment zone. Senate Bill 969 aims to revitalize downtowns and commercial areas, stimulate foot traffic, and support local hospitality businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City has an important government interest in maintaining a thriving commercial environment and protecting the health, safety, and economic welfare of its citizens and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted the Corona Downtown Revitalization Specific Plan to address specific goals identified in the City’s Citywide Strategic Plan, including investing in redevelopment of the downtown area to create a thriving destination for residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, establishing an entertainment zone in the City’s downtown area will result in attracting more visitors, an increase in foot traffic, and boost spending at downtown establishments, as visitors will be able to buy open container drinks from local bars, restaurants, wineries, and breweries, and enjoy them outside in designated spaces during certain hours for the purpose of creating an active downtown; and
WHEREAS, establishing an entertainment zone will further the strategic goals and policies identified in the Citywide Strategic Plan and the Downtown Revitalization Specific Plan; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 25692(a) of the California Business and Professions Code, the Economic Development Director notified the Corona Police Department and requested feedback about both of the following: (a) potential health and safety impacts that might be generated by the downtown entertainment zone and strategies to mitigate those impacts; and (b)the downtown entertainment zone's proposed boundaries, days and hours of operation, types of alcoholic beverages permitted, and approved non-glass and non-metal containers. Such feedback was taken into consideration when drafting this ordinance.
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this ordinance have occurred. 2 of 11
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NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORONA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The above recitals are true and correct and are hereby incorporated herein by this reference and adopted as findings by the City Council.
SECTION 2. CEQA Findings. The adoption of this ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), which states that the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use is exempt from CEQA. The ordinance to establish an Entertainment Zone would not increase development or expand the existing use, but rather, would permit the off-premises consumption of open container alcoholic beverages purchased from bars, restaurants, and breweries within the entertainment zone in public spaces, such as public streets, public rights-of-way, and sidewalks within the entertainment zone. This ordinance would not result in adverse environmental impacts.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 would apply. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
SECTION 3. Addition of Chapter 9.23. Chapter 9.23 (Downtown Entertainment Zone) is hereby added to Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) of the Corona Municipal Code to read as set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any sentence, cause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. Effective Date of Ordinance. The Mayor shall sign this Ordinance and the City Clerk shall attest thereto and shall within fifteen (15) days of its adoption cause it, or a summary of it, to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Corona. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force on the 30th day after its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7
th day of January, 2026.
_________________________________________
Mayor of the City of Corona, California
ATTEST:
____________________________________
City Clerk of the City of Corona, California
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CERTIFICATION
I, Sylvia Edwards, City Clerk of the City of Corona, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was regularly introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Corona, California duly held on the 3rd day of December, 2025 and thereafter at a regular meeting held on the 7th day of January, 2026, it was duly passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Corona, California, this 7th day of January, 2026. _________________________________________
City Clerk of the City of Corona, California
[SEAL]
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EXHIBIT “A”
CHAPTER 9.23
(DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT ZONE)
[SEE ATTACHED 7 PAGES]
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CHAPTER 9.23
DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT ZONE
Sections:
9.23.010 Purpose
9.23.020 Applicability
9.23.030 Definitions
9.23.040 Downtown Entertainment Zone - Location
9.23.050 Downtown Entertainment Zone - Regulations
9.23.060 Downtown Entertainment Zone – Administrative Requirements
9.23.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish for the downtown an entertainment zone pursuant to Sections 23039.5, 23357, 23358, 23396, 25690, 25691 and 25692 of the California Business and Professions Code. The downtown entertainment zone is intended to attract new patrons to the downtown area by creating a safe and sociable outside atmosphere where entertainment events may be held, all of which will be designed to encourage people to socialize, stay and patronize businesses not only in the downtown entertainment zone but in the larger downtown area.
9.23.020 Applicability.
The regulations in this chapter apply to the off-premises consumption in public spaces of open container alcoholic beverages purchased from bars, restaurants, breweries, and wineries in the downtown entertainment zone. In the event of any inconsistency between the regulations of this chapter and any other provision of this code, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.
9.23.030 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(A) ABC. The term “ABC” means the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
(B) Director. The term “director” means the Economic Development Director for the City of Corona, or his or her designee.
(C) Downtown Entertainment Zone. The term “downtown entertainment zone” means the area established pursuant to §9.23.040 below.
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(D) Entertainment Zone. The term “entertainment zone” has the meaning set forth in Section 23039.5 of the California Business and Professions Code, as such section may be amended from time to time.
(E) Entertainment Zone Event. The term “entertainment zone event” means an event that occurs within the boundaries of the downtown entertainment zone, in accordance with this chapter and within the hours and days permitted by this chapter, as well as the restrictions and conditions contained in the required special event permit. (F) Event Area. The term “event area” means the area within the downtown entertainment zone which has been authorized to conduct a specific entertainment zone event pursuant to this chapter.
(G) Licensees. The term “licensees” means commercial restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries or other businesses possessing an on-sale license issued by the ABC, as well as organizations authorized by an appropriate permit or license issued by the ABC, who wish to permit consumers to leave their licensed premises with open containers of alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises within the downtown entertainment zone at an entertainment zone event.
(H) Public Spaces. The term “public spaces” means the following spaces within the downtown entertainment zone: public streets, sidewalks, or public rights-of-way, as well as any other places authorized by state law for entertainment zones. (I) Special Event Permit. The term “special event permit” means a permit required to operate an entertainment zone event, which permit is issued by the Director pursuant to this chapter and the requirements of chapter 9.20 (Assemblages and Parades) of this code.
9.23.040 Downtown Entertainment Zone - Location.
(A) Establishment of Downtown Entertainment Zone. In accordance with Sections 23039.5 and 25690 of the California Business and Professions Code, the boundaries of the downtown entertainment zone are established as depicted in Figure “A” below. The downtown entertainment zone includes all establishments licensed by ABC that are adjacent to and within the boundaries depicted in Figure “A” below.
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FIGURE “A”
9.23.050 Downtown Entertainment Zone - Regulations.
(A) General Laws and Regulations. All licensees shall comply with all applicable state and local laws, rules, and regulations, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. ABC Requirements. All applicable ABC license and permitting requirements.
2. Responsible Beverage Service Training. All servers and managers of licensees must complete the Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Program, as required by Section 25680 et seq. of the California Business and Professions Code.
3. Business & Professions Code. Sections 23357, 23358, and 23396 of the California Business and Professions Code, as may be amended from time to time. 8 of 11
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4. Other Required Laws, Permits & Licenses. All other laws governing the sale, consumption, or furnishing of alcoholic beverages and any and all required permits and licenses issued pursuant thereto.
(B) Specific Entertainment Zone Requirements. All entertainment zone events, as well as all licensees authorized to participate in an entertainment zone event, shall comply with the following specific requirements:
1. City Special Event Permit. A special event permit, issued pursuant to chapter 9.20 (Assemblages and Parades) of this code, is required to conduct the entertainment zone event. The special event permit may include requirements not otherwise imposed by state or local laws, rules or regulations, including, but not limited to, additional requirements for approved beverage containers, additional restrictions on the hours of operation for entertainment zone events, and other time, place, and manner restrictions as deemed appropriate by the issuing person or body.
2. Permitted Areas. Open alcoholic beverages may be consumed only in the event areas which have been authorized to hold the entertainment zone event.
3. Permitted Licensees. Only licensees who meet both of the following requirements are eligible to participate in selling or furnishing open container alcoholic beverages for consumption during the entertainment zone event:
(a) Adjacent Licensees. Licensees must be located immediately adjacent to the event area.
(b) Patrons Exit Directly Into Entertainment Zone. Licensees must have an exit which allows their patrons with open container alcoholic beverages to exit their premises directly into the event area.
4. Purchase From Permitted Licensees. All open container alcoholic beverages consumed in the event area must be purchased from the permitted licensees described in Section 9.23.050(B)(3) above. Accordingly, such permitted licensees must expressly prohibit open or closed containers of alcoholic beverages acquired outside their premises.
5. No Deliveries. Delivery of alcoholic beverages by any licensee or by any third-party delivery service to the event area is expressly prohibited, unless the delivery is to a residential building or private business that is not a licensee.
6. Types of Alcoholic Beverages. The types of open container alcoholic beverages that are permitted to be consumed off-premises at an entertainment zone event are beer, wine and distilled spirits. In addition, each licensee is limited to the type of alcoholic beverage specified in their ABC license.
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7. Age Verification & Identification. Licensees may admit patrons under the age of 21 in their business premises, if allowed by their ABC license. Although patrons of all ages may be admitted into the entertainment zone event, in no event shall a Licensee sell or furnish alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21. Moreover, all patrons in possession of alcoholic beverages must have been properly verified by a licensee and must be wearing a wristband or stamp identifying them as 21 years of age or over. All of the licensees participating in the entertainment zone event must use a single style of wristband or stamp that they agree upon and that is identified in the special event permit for that entertainment zone event.
8. Cup or Container Requirements. No alcoholic beverages purchased at a licensee’s premises may leave the premises in an open glass or metal container for consumption at the entertainment zone event. The licensee must serve or furnish all open container alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption in cups or containers which meet all of the following: (i) they must be transparent or translucent disposable or reusable plastic, acrylic, or biodegradable cups or containers; (ii) they must have the name of the licensee included on them through professional printing or stamping or with professionally made permanent stickers; and (iii) all licensees participating in the entertainment zone event must use a single style of cup or container that they agree upon, that is distinctly different from any cups or containers in which non-alcoholic beverages are served, and that is identified in the special event permit for that entertainment zone event. Licensees may not serve, furnish or allow open container alcoholic beverages in any container or cup that does not meet these requirements, including in any metal or glass cup or container.
9. Signage. The boundaries of an event area must be clearly marked by easily visible signage posted around the perimeter of the event area. The signage must instruct patrons not to carry alcoholic beverages outside of the event area (e.g., "No Alcoholic Beverages Beyond This Point"). Signs must be illuminated well enough to be sufficiently visible during nighttime hours.
10. Days and Hours of Operation.
(a) Authorized Days and Hours. The sale, furnishing, and consumption of open container alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption during an entertainment zone event are permitted on any day of the year between the hours of 11:00 am to 12:00 am, unless otherwise provided in the special event permit for a particular entertainment zone event. Additional limitations may be imposed by any permit or license issued by ABC, as well as by the conditions contained in the required special event permit, as determined by the Corona Police Department, including, but not limited to, more restrictive hours or days. No person shall be permitted to carry open container alcoholic beverages outside of the event area. (b) Prohibited Hours. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the sale, furnishing, and consumption of open container alcoholic beverages for offpremises consumption is expressly prohibited during the following hours: (1) any hours in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited under Section 25631 of the California Business and Professions Code, as such section may be amended from time to time (currently, 2:00 am to 6:00 10 of 11
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am); and (2) any hours in which no licensee within the boundaries of the event area is permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
11. Security. All security requirements shall be determined by the Corona Police Department and included in the conditions contained in the required special event permit.
The permittee shall be solely responsible for all costs of the security requirements.
12. Trash Disposal. The permittee for an entertainment zone event shall provide a sufficient number of trash receptacles within and around the perimeter of the event area for patrons to dispose of their cups or containers before exiting the entertainment zone event. The permittee shall be solely responsible for all costs of the trash disposal requirements.
9.23.060 Downtown Entertainment Zone – Administrative Requirements. (A) Licensees. All licensees shall comply with the following administrative requirements:
1. ABC Annual Notice of Intent. Pursuant to Sections 23357 and 23358 of the California Business and Professions Code, licensees shall annually submit the required notice of intent to participate in the downtown entertainment zone to the ABC. A copy of the notice to ABC shall be provided to the Director at the same time such notice is provided to ABC. (A) City. The City shall comply with the following administrative requirements:
1. Ordinance - Documents for ABC. Pursuant to Section 25690(b) of the California Business and Professions Code, within thirty (30) days of the establishment or modification of the downtown entertainment zone, the Director shall provide ABC with documentation containing the following information:
(a) Ordinance. A copy of the ordinance establishing or modifying the downtown entertainment zone.
(b) Boundaries. Information as may be necessary to identify the boundaries of the downtown entertainment zone.
(c) Days and Hours of Operation. The days and hours of operation of the downtown entertainment zone.
(d) Types of Alcoholic Beverages. The types of alcoholic beverages permitted within the downtown entertainment zone.
(e) Approved Cups or Containers. The approved non-glass and nonmetal containers in which alcoholic beverages may be authorized. 11 of 11
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(2) Ordinance Amendments – Consult with Corona PD. Pursuant to Section 25692(a) of the California Business and Professions Code, before adopting an ordinance to modify the downtown entertainment zone, the Director shall notify the Corona Police Department and request feedback about both of the following:
(a) Health & Safety Impacts. Potential health and safety impacts that might be generated by the downtown entertainment zone and strategies to mitigate those impacts. (b) Regulatory Provisions. The downtown entertainment zone's proposed boundaries, days and hours of operation, types of alcoholic beverages permitted, and approved non-glass and non-metal containers.
(3) Biennial Review. Pursuant to Section 25692(b) of California Business and Professions Code, the Director shall review the operation of the downtown entertainment zone every two (2) years following the adoption of this chapter to ensure that the downtown entertainment zone is being maintained in a manner that protects the health and safety of the general public. This review shall be conducted in consultation with the Corona Police Department and any reports produced during the review shall be made available to ABC upon request.