San Jose Entertainment Zone Ordinance
City Council
May 20, 2025
Item 8.1
1 Presenter:
Kerry Adams Hapner, Director of Cultural Affairs/Deputy Director City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs Background
CA Senate Bill 969
• Effective January 1, 2025, allows cities to establish Entertainment Zones that allow the sale of “to go” containers of alcohol that can be consumed outdoors within a geographic public area – streets, sidewalks, plazas
• Goal is to help activate the public realm and streets with entertainment and community-driven events to support
businesses, create a festive atmosphere, and spur economic development
CA Senate Bill 969 Requirements
• Cities must enact a local ordinance to define geographic boundaries and operating hours
• Cities must consult with law enforcement
• Cities must report to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control biennially
2 Proposed Process and Regulations
• Activation of an Entertainment Zone will be part of the City’s Special Event Permit application
• Entertainment Zones can only operate during the permitted special event hours—between 8:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.
• Geographic area must be marked via signs, sidewalk decals or other methods approved in the Special Event Permit
• All ABC license conditions apply
• Alcoholic beverages must be served in approved non-glass, non- metal containers determined in the Special Event Permit • Alcoholic beverages can be taken into an Entertainment Zone but not into an establishment where it was not purchased
• Patrons must dispose of containers in recycling, compost, or reusable container return receptables before leaving the Entertainment Zone
3 Where are the Proposed Entertainment Zones?
Six locations in Downtown active business districts
with active pedestrian usage:
• San Pedro Street
• Post Street
• South First Street (SoFA District)
• St. John Street (Little Italy)
• Fountain Alley
• Paseo de San Antonio
Builds on San José’s successful efforts to enliven
public spaces through music, festivals, cultural
programming and walkability for an entertainment
economy.
4 San Pedro Street
Between West Santa Clara
Street and West St. John Street;
and West St. John between N.
San Pedro and Terraine Street;
and fronting Westbound Santa
Clara Street between San Pedro
and Almaden
5 Post Street
Between South Market Street
and First Street
6 South First Street (SoFA District)
Between San Carlos Street
and East Reed Street
7 St. John Street (Little Italy)
Between North Almaden
Boulevard and North
Autumn Street; and North
Almaden Boulevard between
Julian Street and
Barack Obama Boulevards
8 Fountain Alley
Between First Street and
Second Street
9 Paseo de San Antonio 1-4
Between Market Street and
Fourth Street
10 Next Steps
• Today: City Council Adoption of the Entertainment
Zone Ordinance. Second reading, June 3, 2025, and
ordinance goes into effect 30 days later.
• Implementation: Coordinate with ABC and community
partners for smooth execution. Development of
administrative processes and procedures.
• Ongoing evaluation: Assess best practices,
procedures, and locations.
13 https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/06/20/can-downtown-san-jose-block-party-repeat-its-success/ San Jose Entertainment Zone Ordinance
City Council
May 20, 2025
Item 8.1
1 Presenter:
Kerry Adams Hapner, Director of Cultural Affairs/Deputy Director City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs