Shafter Municipal Code Art. II Warning Signs

The Surgeon General of the United States has advised women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy, not to drink alcoholic beverages. Recent research indicates that alcohol consumption during pregnancy, especially in the early months, can harm the fetus, and result in birth defects including mental retardation, facial abnormalities and other defects involving heart and bone structure. In order to serve the public health, safety and welfare, the declared purpose of this chapter is to educate the public by requiring that warning signs be placed at all locations where alcoholic beverages are sold to the public.

(Ord. 378 § 1 (part), 1988: prior code § 9-14-1)

Any person or entity who owns, operates, manages, leases or rents a premises offering wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages for sale, or dispensing for consideration to the public, shall cause a sign or notice to be posted on the premises as provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 378 § 1 (part), 1988: prior code § 9-14-2 (part))

The sign or notice shall read as follows:

WARNING. DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, INCLUDING BEER AND WINE, DURING PREGNANCY CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.

It shall also contain the telephone number of the city department to call for more information.

(Ord. 378 § 1 (part), 1988: prior code § 9-14-2 (part))

In the event a substantial number of the public patronizing a premises offering for sale or dispensing wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages, uses a language other than English as a primary language, any sign or notice required by Sections 5.12.050 and 5.12.060 shall be worded in both English and the primary language or languages involved.

(Ord. 378 § 1 (part), 1988: prior code § 9-14-4)

The sign or notice as required herein shall not be smaller than ten inches wide by ten inches long, nor shall the lettering from the required wording be less than one inch in height.

(Ord. 378 § 1 (part), 1988: prior code § 9-14-2 (part))

The required sign or notice shall be placed as follows:

A. Where the sale or dispensing of wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverage to the public is primarily intended for consumption off the premises, at least one sign shall be so placed as to assure that it is conspicuously displayed so as to be readable from all locations at which the sale or dispensing occurs.

B. Where the sale of wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages to the public is primarily provided through over-the-counter service, at least one sign shall be placed to assure that it is readable from all counter locations available to the public.

C. Where the sale or dispensing of wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages to the public is primarily provided for consumption on the premises at tables served by food or beverage service persons, at least one sign shall be placed to assure it is readable by the public entering the premises. In addition, at least one sign shall be placed to assure that it is conspicuously displayed so as to be readable in each public restroom.

(Ord. 378 § 1 (part), 1988: prior code § 9-14-3)

Primary enforcement of the provisions of this article shall be with the local police chief.

(Ord. 378 § 1 (part), 1988: prior code § 9-14-5(a))

A. Anyone subject to the provisions of Section 5.12.050 who knowingly fails to post the required warning is guilty of an infraction.

B. Upon conviction thereof there shall be a penalty by a fine not to exceed twenty-five dollars.

(Ord. 378 § 1 (part), 1988: prior code § 9-14-5(b), (c))