Tehachapi Municipal Code Ch. 12.10 Downtown Entertainment Zone

The city council hereby establishes the downtown entertainment zone pursuant to the requirements of 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. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

A. The Tehachapi Downtown Entertainment Zone shall be as follows:

All public streets, public rights-of-way, and sidewalks in front of storefronts, and all establishments holding permits or licenses from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control that are located within the following boundaries are designated as the Tehachapi Downtown Entertainment Zone:

1. Tehachapi Blvd. east from Curry to S. Robinson Street,

2. S. Robinson Street from Tehachapi Blvd. to alleyway between "F" and "E" Streets.

3. F Street from S. Robinson to Curry Street,

4. Green Street from Tehachapi Blvd. to alleyway between "F" and "E" Streets.

B. The boundaries of the downtown entertainment zone may be amended from time to time by resolution of the city council.

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

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

A. Until December 31, 2026, the city council hereby establishes the dates and times for the outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages in the downtown entertainment zone as follows:

1. Tehachapi Farmer's Market:

a. Each reoccurring Thursday from June 5, 2025-August 14, 2025 from three p.m.—seven p.m.

b. Each reoccurring Thursday from June 4, 2026-August 13, 2026 from three p.m.—seven p.m.

2. Green Street Get Down Concert:

a. Saturday, August 16, 2025 from four p.m.—ten p.m.

b. Saturday, August 15, 2026 from four p.m.—ten p.m.

3. Thunder on the Mountain Car Show:

a. Saturday, September 27, 2025 from ten a.m.—two p.m.

b. Saturday, September 26, 2026 from ten a.m.—two p.m.

4. Tehachapi Hometown Christmas and Christmas Parade:

a. December 6, 2025 from twelve p.m.—six p.m.

b. December 5, 2026 from twelve p.m.—six p.m.

The dates and times listed above are referred to as entertainment zone events. If any entertainment zone event listed herein is not held for any reason, the date/time of that event will be excluded from the operating date and time of the downtown entertainment zone.

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

Consumption of alcoholic beverages during the hours in which sales of alcoholic beverages are prohibited under Section 25631 of the Business and Profession Code shall be prohibited.

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

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

1. Beer;

2. Wine; and

3. Mixed spirits.

B. All open alcoholic beverages consumed in thE downtown entertainment zone shall be purchased only from a premises located within the downtown 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. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

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

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

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

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

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

The boundaries of the downtown entertainment zone must be clearly marked by easily visible signage posted at every intersection around the perimeter of the zone during an downtown entertainment zone event. This signage must instruct patrons not to carry alcoholic beverages outside the downtown 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 downtown entertainment zone's operation during an downtown entertainment zone event.

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

The city manager or their designee may, at their discretion, adopt a management plan to implement this chapter and manage the regulation of entertainment zone events.

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

The operation of the downtown entertainment zone shall be reviewed no less than every two years following the adoption of the ordinance establishing the downtown entertainment zone to ensure that the downtown 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 their designee and in consultation with local law enforcement agencies.

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)

Upon issuance of a management plan pursuant to Section 12.10.090, if any, adoption of any revision to this chapter or resolution adopted pursuant to this chapter modifying the downtown entertainment zone, including the downtown entertainment zone events or boundaries, the city shall transmit a copy of such to ABC.

(Ord. No. 25-02-780, § 2(Exh. B), 4-21-2025)