Moorpark Municipal Code Ch. 5.68 High Street Entertainment Zone

The city council hereby establishes the High Street Entertainment Zone pursuant to the requirements of California State Senate Bill 969 (2024) to authorize the consumption of alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks, or public rights-of-way subject to the restrictions contained herein.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

The High Street Entertainment Zone shall include the full-width of the High Street public right-of-way, as it extends from Moorpark Avenue to Spring Road. Side streets, including Bard Street, Magnolia Street, and Walnut Street, are expressly excluded from the High Street Entertainment Zone. A map of the adopted boundaries of the High Street Entertainment Zone shall be kept on file in the office of the community development department.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

The City Council hereby establishes the days of operation for the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the High Street Entertainment Zone as being no more than six days in a calendar year and between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on any such day, subject to the activation of the entertainment zone pursuant to Section 5.68.040.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

The High Street Entertainment Zone is not a recurring or permanent daily designation, nor is it automatically activated by the closure of High Street. The High Street Entertainment Zone may be voluntarily activated upon written request of an event organizer and upon issuance of a temporary use permit for city-sanctioned special events that involve the closure of High Street or portions thereof to vehicular traffic. The High Street Entertainment Zone is limited to a maximum of six activations per calendar year. Activation shall begin no earlier than 10:00 a.m. and end no later than 10:00 p.m. Indication of such activation is provided via issuance of a temporary use permit.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

The following types of alcoholic beverages are permitted within the High Street Entertainment Zone: beer, wine and distilled spirits.

A. Consumption. All open alcoholic beverages consumed in the High Street Entertainment Zone shall be purchased only from a permanent or temporary premises located within the High Street Entertainment Zone that is authorized under California Business and Professions Code Section 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 premises, or an organization that is authorized by a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ("ABC") special event permit or license to make such sales within the entertainment zone.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

Pursuant to Section 5.68.040, an approved temporary use permit is required to activate the High Street Entertainment Zone. Applications shall be subject to the review, and approval procedures set forth in Section 17.44.040A - Temporary Use Permit (TUP).

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

A. Eligibility. Only organizations that are physically located, permanently or temporarily, within the High Street Entertainment Zone boundary holding a valid, qualifying California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license or special event permit pursuant to state law may participate in an authorized activation of the High Street Entertainment Zone, subject to the execution of a city participation agreement.

B. Containers. Alcoholic beverages may only be consumed in city-approved, non-glass, and non-metal containers.

C. Age Verification. All persons possessing alcoholic beverages must wear a city-approved wristband identifying them as 21 years of age or older provided by the event organizer.

D. Signage. Boundaries of the High Street Entertainment Zone must be clearly marked with visible signage instructing patrons not to carry beverages outside the zone.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

The city manager or their designee may, at their discretion, adopt a management plan, including participation agreements, performance standards, and temporary use permit conditions of approval, to implement this chapter and manage the regulation of High Street Entertainment Zone events. The management plan may establish mechanisms for full cost recovery from event organizers or participating licensees for municipal services, including, but not limited to, law enforcement labor, contractors, age verification materials, and boundary signage.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

The establishment of the High Street Entertainment Zone provides a limited and event-specific exception to the general prohibitions on public drinking. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to preclude or limit the enforcement of Moorpark Municipal Code Section 9.20.010 (Public Consumption-Prohibition) at any time or location outside the specific hours and boundaries of an activation of the High Street Entertainment Zone authorized under this chapter.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)

This Chapter 5.68 shall automatically expire and be of no further force or effect two years after its effective date, unless the city council acts by ordinance to extend or make permanent the pilot program following the biennial review required by state law.

(Ord. 533, 7/1/2026)