Alcohol in central business district.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 3-3
in effectSec. 3-3. - Alcohol in central business district.
(a) In this section, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this subsection:
Central business district means the area designated in Ordinance No. 2023-1001, adopted on November 15, 2023 by city council as "MIXED LAND USE/ENTERTAINMENT ZONE 1."
Licensed premises means the premises of any place for which a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission permit or license has been issued that allows on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Open container means an alcoholic beverage container that is no longer sealed.
Special event lot means a lot leased or licensed by the owner, operator, manager or management team of a sports venue through an agreement with the lot owner and where the lot is under the control of the owner, operator, manager or management team of the sports venue during an event authorized by them.
Sports venue means a stadium, arena, ballpark, parking lot, or other related property in the central business district that is owned, operated, or project managed by the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to be in possession of an open container in the central business district.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the public consumption of any alcoholic beverage in the central business district.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the alleged offense took place in a motor vehicle; in a building not owned or controlled by the city; in a residential structure; on the premises of a sports venue or special event lot during the hours authorized by the owner, operator, manager or management team of the sports venue; or on licensed premises that are situated in the central business district.
(Ord. No. 94-597, § 2, 6-15-94; Ord. No. 2012-236, §§ 2, 3, 3-21-2012; Ord. No. 2023-1001, § 3, 11-15-2023)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH3ALBE_ARTIINGE_S3-3ALCEBUDIFetched: 10/26/2026