Culver City Municipal Code Ch. 11.35 Entertainment Zone

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish a process by which to create Entertainment Zones within the city, as authorized by § 23039.5 of the California Business and Professions Code, where people can buy open container drinks (alcoholic drinks "to-go") from local bars, restaurants, wineries, and breweries and enjoy them outside in common spaces like plazas, sidewalks, and streets during certain hours for the purposes of creating active, commercial corridors, catalyze broader economic stimulus and ensure equitable program benefits while making the City a vibrant cultural hub.

(Ord. No. 2026-006 § 1)

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

ABC. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

ENTERTAINMENT ZONE. This term has the meaning set forth in § 23039.5 of the California Business and Professions Code, as may be amended from time to time.

ENTERTAINMENT ZONE EVENT or ACTIVATION. An event or activation which occurs within the boundaries of an Entertainment Zone established in accordance with this Chapter and the Management Plan for the Entertainment Zone.

LICENSEE. Any person, business, or other entity duly licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.

MANAGEMENT PLAN. A plan approved by the Economic and Cultural Development Department for the management and regulation of an Entertainment Zone.

(Ord. No. 2026-006 § 1)

A. Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone.

1. All public streets, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way along the following streets, and within the boundaries depicted on the map in subsection 2. below, are hereby designated as the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone under §§ 23039.5 and 25690 of the California Business and Professions Code:

a. Beginning at the intersection of Canfield Avenue and Culver Boulevard; thence southerly along Culver Boulevard approximately 600 feet to its intersection with Main Street;

b. Thence westerly along Main Street approximately 250 feet. From the intersection of Culver Boulevard and Main Street to Watseka Avenue then along Washington Boulevard, to its intersection with Hughes Avenue; then Southeasterly along Duquesne to Culver Boulevard; then Northeast to Irving Place; thence easterly along Irving Place to School Street; thence northeast along School Street to Van Buren Place; thence southeast along Van Buren Place approximately 250 feet.

c. From School Street and Van Buren Place Northwest along the alleyway approximately 300 feet; thence Northeast to Washington Boulevard and then Northwest approximately 900 feet to the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Culver Boulevard.

2. The following map depicts the boundaries of the Entertainment Zone, and to the extent there is any conflict between the description above and the map, the map shall control.

[Figure]

B. Outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages within the Entertainment Zone is authorized during the time period specified in connection with a special event permit, so long as at least one licensee within the boundaries of the Entertainment Zone is permitted to sell alcoholic beverages during those hours for consumption on the premises. Hours of operation are subject to any additional limitations imposed by any ABC permit or license and by the Management Plan for the Entertainment Zone.

C. Off-site sale of open alcoholic containers by a participating holder of an ABC license or permit may consist of beer, wine, and/or distilled spirits subject to the conditions and limitations imposed on the establishment by their local entitlements or ABC privileges, and any additional limitations imposed by the Management Plan for the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone.

(Ord. No. 2026-006 § 1)

A. All licensees and organizations sponsoring or selling alcoholic beverages within the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone shall comply with all applicable state and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to the following:

1. All applicable ABC license and permitting requirements;

2. §§ 23357, 23358, and 23396 of the California Business and Professions Code, as may be amended from time to time;

3. All other laws governing the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and all permits and licenses issued pursuant thereto;

4. Applicable road closure regulations and procedures;

5. Applicable municipal laws, policies, and regulations;

6. Any applicable administrative regulations issued by the City pursuant to this Chapter, including conditions set forth in the Management Plan for the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone.

7. To the extent anything in this Chapter is inconsistent with Chapter 17.400 of this Code, the provisions of this Chapter shall control.

B. Open alcoholic beverages may be consumed on any public street, avenue, sidewalk, stairway, alley, or thoroughfare within the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone, as set forth in subsection D of § 13.03.025, Consumption Of Alcoholic Beverages On Streets And Public Parks, of this Code, subject to any other restrictions imposed by state or local law.

C. All open alcoholic beverages shall be purchased only from a premises located within the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone that is authorized under California Business and Professions Code §§ 23357, 23358, or 23396, as may be amended from time to time, to permit consumers to leave the premises with open containers of alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premise, or an organization that is authorized by an ABC special event permit or license to make such sales within the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone.

D. No alcoholic beverages purchased at a participating licensed premises may leave the premises in an open glass or metal container.

E. Delivery of alcoholic beverages to consumers within the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone by a participating licensee or third-party delivery service is prohibited unless the delivery is to a residential building or private business that is not a licensee.

F. Signs within an Entertainment Zone related to Entertainment Zone Events shall be considered "Temporary Signs" pursuant to § 17.330.015 for the purpose of Chapter 17.330 Signs. Window or other signage visible from within the Entertainment Zone may advertise beer or alcohol so long as it is done in connection with an Entertainment Zone event.

(Ord. No. 2026-006 § 1)

A. Upon the establishment or modification of an Entertainment Zone, the Economic and Cultural Development Department is authorized to and shall do the following:

1. In consultation with the Police Department, provide the following information to ABC, pursuant to § 25690 of the California Business and Professions Code:

a. A copy of the ordinance establishing or modifying the Entertainment Zone;

b. Information as may be necessary to identify the boundaries of the Entertainment Zone;

c. The days and hours of operation of the Entertainment Zone;

d. The types of alcoholic beverages permitted within the Entertainment Zone;

e. The approved non-glass and non-metal containers in which alcoholic beverages may be authorized; and

2. Issue a Management Plan for the Entertainment Zone as follows:

a. The Management Plan shall establish the process or procedure to readily identify individuals purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages within the Entertainment Zone as being 21 years of age or older;

b. The Management Plan may include requirements not otherwise imposed by state or local law, but which are nonetheless enforceable pursuant to this Chapter;

c. Upon issuance or revision of a Management Plan, the Economic and Cultural Development Department shall transmit a copy of the Plan to ABC.

d. Any holder of an ABC license or permit that wishes to allow customers to leave the premises with open containers of alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises within the Entertainment Zone shall provide to the Economic and Cultural Department a copy of the notice provided to ABC under §§ 23357, 23358, or 23396 of the California Business and Professions Code, as applicable, at the same time such notice is provided to ABC. In addition, participating licensees may be required to submit a participation agreement to the City notifying the City of their intent to participate in the Entertainment Zone.

(Ord. No. 2026-006 § 1)

A. The Director of the Economic and Cultural Department may adopt administrative regulations to implement the provisions of this Chapter, including, but not limited to, application procedures, permit conditions and requirements, and health and safety measures. The Director may revise these regulations from time to time as they deem appropriate. The Entertainment Zone Management Plan shall be considered an enforceable administrative regulation.

B. No person shall fail to comply with the City's administrative regulations.

(Ord. No. 2026-006 § 1)

The City, in conjunction with local law enforcement, shall review the operation of each Entertainment Zone six months after its activation and every two years following its adoption to ensure the Entertainment Zone is being maintained in a manner that protects the health and safety of the general public. Any reports made during the review shall be made available to ABC upon request.

(Ord. No. 2026-006 § 1)

A. Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter, including any administrative regulations, shall be guilty of an infraction, which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $250, or a misdemeanor, which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 per violation or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. Any person who violates this Chapter, including any administrative regulations, shall be subject to administrative fines and administrative penalties pursuant to Chapter 1.02 of this Code.

C. Any participating licensee who violates this Chapter may be subject to suspension or revocation of their right to participate in the Entertainment Zone. The City may promulgate administrative regulations to implement this section.

D. Any person convicted of violating this Chapter in a criminal case, or found to be in violation of this Chapter in a civil or administrative case brought by a law enforcement agency, shall be ordered to reimburse the City and other participating law enforcement agencies their full investigative costs.

(Ord. No. 2026-006 § 1)