[Ord. No. 658, 6-23-2025]
It shall be unlawful to possess or consume alcoholic beverages on City property or in public places except as otherwise provided by ordinance or unless a variance has been granted by the Board of Aldermen under the conditions and procedures set forth in this Chapter. See also Section 150.110 (Alcoholic Beverages in City Parks); Section 150.090 (City Park Regulations); and Section 600.070(F).
[Ord. No. 658, 6-23-2025]
A. 
All requests for a variance must be submitted to the City Clerk at least twenty-one (21) calendar days before the proposed event and must include:
1. 
Date, time, and duration of the event;
2. 
Exact location(s) where alcohol will be possessed or consumed;
3. 
Nature and purpose of the event and expected attendance;
4. 
Name and contact information of the responsible person or organization;
5. 
Whether alcohol will be sold or provided without charge (a temporary liquor license may be required);
6. 
Whether a State liquor license or permit has been or will be obtained, and if not, then an explanation as to why a liquor license is not necessary for this event;
7. 
Proof of general liability insurance with coverage of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence and two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) aggregate, including liquor liability as applicable; and
8. 
Description of planned security measures and procedures to prevent underage consumption.
[Ord. No. 658, 6-23-2025]
A. 
The Board of Aldermen shall consider the application for a variance at a regular public meeting and may approve or deny the variance in its sole discretion. In making its determination, the Board may consider:
1. 
The public purpose and character of the event;
2. 
Suitability of the location;
3. 
History of the applicant's compliance with City rules and regulations, if any;
4. 
Potential risks, nuisances, and/or burdens on nearby property owners and/or the City; and
5. 
Any other relevant public health and safety concerns.
[Ord. No. 658, 6-23-2025]
A. 
All variances approved under this Chapter shall be subject to the following minimum conditions unless waived or modified by the Board in writing:
1. 
Alcohol shall only be possessed and consumed in the specific area and time frame approved, in writing, by the Board of Aldermen;
2. 
No alcoholic beverages may be provided to, possessed, and/or consumed by persons under the age of twenty-one (21);
3. 
Signage must be posted clearly designating the approved alcohol consumption area;
4. 
The applicant must provide security and crowd control as deemed appropriate;
5. 
The applicant shall be responsible for cleanup and restoration of the premises and removing all trash, alcoholic beverages, etc.;
6. 
If alcohol is sold or considered sold, all applicable State and local licensing requirements must be met.
[Ord. No. 658, 6-23-2025]
All variances granted pursuant to this Chapter shall be promptly documented in writing and provided to the Chief of Police or their designee. The Chief of Police, or such designee, shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with the terms and conditions of any approved variance and may take appropriate enforcement action in the event of any violation.
[Ord. No. 658, 6-23-2025]
A. 
Any variance granted pursuant to this Chapter may be revoked, in writing, by the City at any time upon a determination that:
1. 
The applicant has violated any term or condition of the variance;
2. 
The event or activity has created, or is likely to create, a public disturbance, safety hazard, or nuisance; or
3. 
Revocation is necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare of the residents of the City of Stockton.
B. 
Written notice of revocation shall be delivered to the applicant and provided to the Chief of Police. Upon revocation, any further possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages pursuant to the variance shall be deemed unauthorized and subject to enforcement under this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 658, 6-23-2025]
A. 
Any person who possesses or consumes alcoholic beverages on City property or in a public place without a valid variance, or who violates any term or condition of an approved variance, shall be deemed in violation of this Chapter and may be subject to:
1. 
Issuance of a citation or municipal summons;
2. 
A fine as provided by the general penalty provisions of the Stockton City Code;
3. 
Immediate removal from the premises by law enforcement or other authorized City personnel; and
4. 
Ineligibility to receive future variances for a period of up to one (1) year, at the discretion of the Board of Aldermen.
B. 
Each day or occurrence of a violation may be deemed a separate offense.