ENTERTAINMENT
ZONES
BACKGROUND
• Purpose: Support downtown vitality, expand nightlife and cultural activity, create safe/managed areas for outdoor alcohol consumption.
• California Senate Bill 969 (effective Jan 1, 2025) allows cities to establish “entertainment zones” where alcohol can be consumed outdoors under certain rules.
KEY REQUIREMENTS UNDER SB 969
• In order to establish entertainment zones, the city or county must adopt a local ordinance.
• The city or county must consult with law enforcement on boundaries, days/hours, and safety considerations.
• The city or county must conduct biennial review of operations and impacts. • Eligible participants: On-sale licensees, winegrowers, and beer manufacturers inside the zone.
• Annual notification to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is required by businesses that want to participate.
INFO REQUIRED UNDER SB 969
The following information is required upon establishing an entertainment zone:
o How to readily identify 21+ patrons in the entertainment zone o Information necessary to identify the boundaries of the entertainment zone o The days and hours of operation
o Types of alcoholic beverages permitted
o Approved nonglass and nonmetal containers
ENTERTAINMENT
ZONES
THROUGHOUT
CALIFORNIA
• San Francisco: during “Entertainment
Zone Events” only
• Sacramento: during “Entertainment
Zone Events” only
• Santa Monica: Friday – Sunday, 11:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Redding – daily, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
1 – Ordinance
• Sets days, hours, boundaries
2 – Management Plan
• Can have more restrictive days, hours,
boundaries
• Details the regulations
• Can be amended by Department
Director or City Manager approval
COURTHOUSE
SQUARE
Potential Boundaries:
• East boundary: D Street
• West boundary: B Street
• North boundary: 7th Street
• South boundary: 3rd Street
Potential Days & Hours:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
12 pm to 10 pm
RAILROAD SQUARE
Potential Boundaries:
• East boundary: Davis Street
• West boundary: Wilson Street
• North boundary: 5th Street
• South boundary: 3rd Street
Potential Days & Hours:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
12 pm to 10 pm
SIGNATURE EVENTS
• Entertainment Zones may be activated throughout
downtown during "signature events"
• Examples include Wednesday Night Market, Live
at Julliard, Rose Parade, Pride Parade, Peggy Sue
Cruise, Winterblast, etc.
• Hours of Entertainment Zone activation to be
consistent with event hours.
PRIDE PARADE
PEGGY SUE CRUISE
WINTERBLAST
ROSE PARADE
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS
PLAN – DRAFT CONCEPTS
CUPS
• Only reusable or recyclable plastic cups
allowed
WRISTBANDS/ID VERIFICATION
• Patrons receive wristbands at point of
sale after ID check
• Only individuals with wristbands may
carry alcohol outdoors
SIGNAGE
• Posted at zone boundaries and
businesses
• Clearly marks entry/exit points and rules
of the zone
• Possibly painted on street
EVENTS & ACTIVATION
• Coordination with existing downtown
events
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
• Concerns and questions about safety/liability
• Prefer events only to start, instead of weekly recurring days/hours • Consider doing a pilot program
FOR COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION:
• Direct staff to draft an ordinance establishing entertainment zones • Boundaries?
• Days/hours?
• Direct staff not to proceed with establishing entertainment zones at this time.
THANK YOU
Sachnoor Bisla, City Planner
[email protected]
(707) 543-3223
Jessica Jones, Deputy Director – Planning
[email protected]
(707) 543-3253