Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Item #: 10B
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: August 5, 2025
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Brad Raulston, Town Manager
PREPARED BY: Aaron Hecock, Planning & Building Director
TITLE/RECOMMENDATION
Introduce and waive first reading of Ordinance Number 25-534 adding Chapter 17.174 (“Entertainment Zones”) to Title 17 of the Yountville Municipal Code establishing an Entertainment Zone and finding the code addition and establishment of the Zone exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
BACKGROUND
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 23000, et seq.) regulates the production, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the State of California. The Act is administered by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which is tasked with issuing, reviewing, enforcing, suspending, and revoking alcoholic beverage licenses. ABC licenses specify whether a business may sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the business’s premises (called “on-sale”), off the business’s premises in an original, sealed container (called “off-sale”), or both.
In 2023, the Legislature adopted Senate Bill No. 76 (SB 76) authorizing patrons to leave certain licensed premises with open containers of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption within an “entertainment zone.” SB 76 specifically defined an “entertainment zone” as a zone created by the City and County of San Francisco within which alcohol consumption is allowed on public streets, sidewalks, and rights-of-way. In 2024, the Legislature adopted Senate Bill No. 969 (SB 969) which now empowers any city or county to establish entertainment zones for consumption on public streets.
Only licensed premises located within an entertainment zone can sell alcohol for public consumption in the zone, and consumption in the zone is only allowed when one or more licensee(s) is permitted to sell alcohol for onsite consumption. Patrons with open containers must exit the premises directly into the entertainment zone. Only non-glass and non-metal containers may be carried off-premises for consumption in the zone and delivery of alcoholic beverages to consumers inside a zone is prohibited (unless the delivery is to a residential building or private business located in the zone).
Before establishing an entertainment zone, a city or county must seek feedback from local law enforcement regarding:
(1) Potential health and safety impacts that might be generated by the entertainment zone and strategies to mitigate those impacts; and
(2) The entertainment zone’s proposed boundaries, days and hours of operation, types of alcoholic beverages allowed, and approved non-glass and nonmetal containers.
The city or county must then determine:
(1) The boundaries of the zone;
(2) The days and hours of the zone’s operation;
(3) The type(s) of alcoholic beverage(s) permitted to be consumed within the zone; (4) The type(s) of non-glass, non-metal containers in which alcoholic beverages may be carried in the zone; and (5) A process or procedure by which people possessing alcoholic beverages in the zone may be readily identifiable as 21 years or older.
After establishing an entertainment zone, the city or county must review the operation of the entertainment zone every 2 years to ensure the zone is being maintained in a way that protects public health and safety. The review must be conducted in consultation with local law enforcement and any reports produced during the review must be provided to ABC upon request.
At the June 10, 2025, meeting of the Zoning & Design Review Board (ZDRB), the ZDRB unanimously recommended (4-0 vote with one member absent) that the Town Council adopt the Ordinance as presented (Resolution 25-028 attached to this report).
ANALYSIS
Town staff support the establishment of an entertainment zone along the Washington Street corridor from Champagne Drive to Jackson Street to promote and enhance activity including ideas such as NOYO at Night, etc. During the Town Council’s Goal Setting Meeting in April 2025, the Council identified the establishment of an Entertainment Zone as a staff priority in the coming year.
As required by state law, Town staff has consulted with local law enforcement regarding the proposed operating standards for an entertainment zone as well as potential public health and safety impacts of the zone. Sheriff’s Department concerns (see Attachment C) related to health and safety are centered around potential road closures associated with an event and keeping pedestrians safe within closures. They recommend the use of Meridian Barriers (mobile barriers) to keep vehicles out of closure areas during events. Sheriff’s Department concerns related to the entertainment zone boundary and hours of operation center around public intoxication and minors in possession of alcohol. They indicate that all crimes will be enforced per California Penal Code and that additional staffing could be required during special events.
FINDINGS
Pursuant to YMC § 17.184.060, upon receipt of the recommendation of the Zoning and Design Review Board, the Town Council may approve or approve in modified form the proposed amendment(s) if from the facts presented all the following findings can be made:
A. The proposed amendment would further the goals, objectives, policies and programs and is consistent with the intent of the General Plan;
Staff Finding: The proposed amendments are consistent with General Plan Policy QL-2.1 in that the Entertainment Zone will support events enhancing quality of life and Policy ES-1.1 in that it will support businesses and events that can enhance the Town’s reputation as a world-class destination.
B. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the Town;
Staff Finding: The proposed amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the Town because the Town will maintain control over what is permitted to occur within the Entertainment Zone, including, days, hours of operation, safety procedures, types of events, etc. The Town can amend or rescind the Entertainment Zone at its discretion.
C. For amendments involving a zoning or land use map amendment, the site is physically suitable, including consideration of physical constraints, access, compatibility with surrounding land uses, and provision of utilities, for the requested or potential land uses.
Staff Finding: The proposed changes do not include changing the land use designation for any site.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) (no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment). CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) exempts projects from environmental review where it can be seen with certainty there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The adoption of this Ordinance and the establishment of an entertainment zone will not result in a significant foreseeable environmental impact as no physical changes are contemplated or proposed to establish or operate the zone. To the extent the adoption of this Ordinance is a project under CEQA, it is categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), as a negligible expansion of uses permitted within existing public streets, sidewalks, and rights-of-way, and 15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations), as a minor change in use limitations that will not affect land use or density in an area with an average slope of less than 20%.
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? No
Is it Currently Budgeted? N/A
Where is it Budgeted? N/A
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Nominal
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Is item Identified in Strategic Plan? Yes
If yes, Identify Strategic Goal and Objective. Premier Destination: The Town values its residents, rich history, natural environment, culinary excellence, arts, and distinguished businesses that make our home a place people love.
Briefly Explain Relationship to Strategic Plan Goal and Objective. The proposed Ordinance is consistent with General Plan Policy QL-2.1 in that the Entertainment Zone will support events enhancing quality of life and Policy ES-1.1 in that it will support businesses and events that can enhance the Town’s reputation as a world-class destination.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Ordinance No 25-534 and Exhibit A
2. Exhibit B to Ordinance
3. Sheriff Dept Response
4. ZDRB Resolution No 25-028