Suisun City Municipal Code Ch. 12.33 Entertainment Zones

The purpose of this chapter is to establish entertainment zones pursuant to the requirements of Senate Bill 969 (2024) to authorize the consumption of alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks, or public right-of-way subject to the restrictions contained herein.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

"ABC" means the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

"Entertainment zone" has the meaning set forth in Section 23039.5 of the California Business and Professions Code, as may be amended from time to time.

"Entertainment zone event" means an event that occurs within the boundaries of an entertainment zone established in accordance with this chapter and within the hours permitted by this chapter, any applicable entertainment zone operations manual, and subject to the requirements of a special event permit issued under Chapter 12.32.

"Entertainment zone operations manual" means a manual approved by the city manager for the management and regulation of the entertainment zone.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

Upon establishment or modification of an entertainment zone, the city manager or designee shall provide the following information to ABC, pursuant to Section 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.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

A. The boundaries of the Suisun City Entertainment Zone are defined as follows: All plazas, public streets, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way, in the area beginning at the point of intersection of the south side of Solano Street and the west side of Main Street, then running north along the west side of Main Street to its intersection with Lotz Way, then running south along the east side of Main Street to the north side of Driftwood Drive, then running east along Driftwood Drive and extending to the eastern edge of Shelton Plaza, then running south along the eastern edge of Shelton Plaza to the edge of the Suisun Slough, then running west along the Suisun Slough to the southwest corner of Shelton Plaza, then continuing south along the Suisun Slough to the south side of Solano Street, then running west along the south side of Solano Street back to the beginning point, and all premises specified in Section 12.33.060(B) that are adjacent thereto, subject to any additional limitations imposed by the special event permit approved and issued pursuant to Chapter 12.32, including, but not limited to, more restrictive zones within the entertainment zone for the entertainment zone event.

B. The boundaries of the entertainment zones may be amended from time to time by ordinance of the city council.

C. A map of the boundaries shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

A. Outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages within the entertainment zone is authorized seven days a week between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., 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 entertainment zone operations manual.

B. Off-site sale of open alcoholic containers by a participating holder of an ABC license or permit is subject to the conditions and limitations imposed on the establishment by their local entitlements or ABC privileges, and any additional limitations imposed by an adopted entertainment zone operations manual.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

A. All licensees and organizations sponsoring or selling alcoholic beverages within an 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. Sections 23357, 23358, and 23396 of the California Business and Professions Code, as may be amended from time to time;

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

4. A special event permit, pursuant to Chapter 12.32 of this Code, is required to conduct an entertainment zone event. The special event permit may include requirements not otherwise imposed by state or local law, including, but not limited to, additional requirements for approved beverage containers, additional restrictions on the hours of operation for entertainment zone events, and other time, place, and manner restrictions as deemed appropriate by the city manager; and

5. Any applicable entertainment zone operations manual.

B. All open alcoholic beverages in an entertainment zone shall be purchased only from a premises located within the 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 an ABC special event permit or license to make such sales within the entertainment zone.

C. Pursuant to Sections 23357, 23358, and 23396 of the Business and Professions Code, any restrictions on licensee privileges on the exercise of off-sale privileges shall not apply to the removal of open alcoholic beverages from the licensed premises for consumption in the entertainment zone.

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 the city manager or designee a copy of the notice provided to ABC under Sections 23357, 23358, or 23396 of the California Business and Professions Code, as applicable, at the same time such notice is provided to ABC.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

No alcoholic beverages purchased at a licensed premises may leave the premises in an open glass or metal container for consumption in an entertainment zone.

A licensed business within the entertainment zone must serve any alcoholic beverage for consumption in the entertainment zone during an entertainment zone event in a compostable or reusable cup.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

During the duration of any entertainment zone event, every patron purchasing an alcoholic beverage for consumption in the entertainment zone or drinking an alcoholic beverage within the entertainment zone must be wearing a wristband identifying them as 21 years of age or over. All of the businesses within the entertainment zone must use a single style of wristband agreed upon, and approved by the city, prior to the operation of any entertainment zone event.

If a patron is not wearing a wristband, staff within licensed businesses may check patrons' IDs to confirm their age and provide them wristbands. Upon approval by the city manager, for larger events, staff or volunteers may also choose to check patrons' IDs and distribute wristbands at the entrances to the entertainment zone event or other locations within the entertainment zone.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

The boundaries of the entertainment zone must be clearly marked by easily visible signage posted at every intersection around the perimeter of the zone during an entertainment zone event. This signage must instruct patrons not to carry alcoholic beverages outside the entertainment zone (e.g., "No Alcoholic Beverages Beyond This Point"). Signs must be illuminated well enough to be sufficiently visible during nighttime hours of the entertainment zone's operation during an entertainment zone event.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

The following types of alcoholic beverages are permitted within the entertainment zone:

1. Beer;

2. Wine; and

3. Distilled spirits.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

A. The city manager or their designee may, at their discretion, adopt an entertainment zone operations manual to implement this chapter and manage the regulation of entertainment zone events. The entertainment zone operations manual may include requirements not otherwise imposed by state or local law, including, but not limited to, additional requirements for approved beverage containers, additional restrictions on the hours of operation of the entertainment zones and other time, place, and manner restrictions. The city manager may amend an adopted entertainment zone operations manual from time to time as the city manager deems appropriate.

B. Upon adoption or revision of an entertainment zone operations manual, the city manager or designee shall transmit a copy of that manual to ABC.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)

The operation of the entertainment zone shall be reviewed no less than every two years following the adoption of the ordinance establishing the entertainment zone to ensure that the entertainment zone is being maintained in a manner that protects the health and safety of the general public. This review shall be conducted by the city manager or designee and in consultation with local law enforcement agencies.

(Ord. No. 823, § 2, 2-3-2026)