LIQUOR CONTROL

Columbus City Codes tit. 23, ch. 2325

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 2325.01 Definitions.

2325.01 - Definitions. (A) As used in Title 23 of the Columbus City Codes: (1) "Intoxicating liquor" and "liquor" include all liquids and compounds, other than beer as defined in subsection (B)(2) of this section containing one-half (½) of one (1) percent or more of alcohol by volume which are fit to use for beverage purposes, from whatever source and by whatever process produced, by whatever name called and whether the same are medicated, proprietary, or patented. Such phrase includes wine, as defined in subsection (B)(3) of this section even if it contains less than four (4) percent of alcohol by volume, mixed beverages, as defined in subsection (B)(4) of this section even if they contain less than four (4) percent of alcohol by volume, alcohol and all solids and confections which contain any alcohol. (2) Except as used in Sections 2325.01, 2325.03 and 2325.16 of the Columbus City Codes, "sale" and "sell" include exchange, barter, gift, offer for sale, sale, distribution and delivery of any kind, and the transfer of title or possession of beer and intoxicating liquor either by constructive or actual delivery by any means or devices whatever, including the sale of beer or intoxicating liquor by means of a controlled access alcohol and beverage cabinet pursuant to Section 2313.02 of the Columbus City Codes. Such terms do not include the mere solicitation of orders for beer or intoxicating liquor from the holders of permits issued by the department of liquor control authorizing the sale of the same, but no solicitor shall solicit any such orders until the solicitor has been registered with the department of liquor control pursuant to Section 4303.25 of the Revised Code. (3) "Vehicle" includes all means of transportation by land, by water, or by air, and everything made use of in any way for such transportation. (B) As used in Chapter 2325 of the Columbus City Codes: (1) "Alcohol" means ethyl alcohol, whether rectified or diluted with water or not, whatever its origin may be, and includes synthetic ethyl alcohol. Such term excludes denatured alcohol and wood alcohol. (2) "Beer," "malt liquor" or "malt beverages" includes all brewed or fermented malt products containing one-half (½) of one (1) percent or more of alcohol by volume but not more than six (6) percent of alcohol by weight. (3) "Wine" includes all liquids fit to use for beverage purposes containing not less than one half (½) of one (1) percent of alcohol by volume and not more than twenty-one (21) percent of alcohol by volume, which is made from the fermented juices of grapes, fruits, or other agricultural products. (4) "Mixed beverages" such as bottled and prepared cordials, cocktails, and highballs are products obtained by mixing any type of whiskey, neutral spirits, brandy, gin, or other spirits with, or over, carbonated or plain water, pure juices from flowers and plants, and other flavoring materials. The completed product shall contain not less than one half (½) of one (1) percent of alcohol by volume and not more than twenty (20) percent of alcohol by volume. (5) "Spirituous liquor" includes all intoxicating liquors containing more than twenty-one (21) percent of alcohol by volume. (6) "Sealed container" means any container having a capacity of not more than one hundred twenty-eight (128) fluid ounces, the opening of which is closed to prevent the entrance of air. (7) "Person" includes firms and corporations. (8) "Manufacture" includes all processes by which beer or intoxicating liquor is produced, whether by distillation, rectifying, fortifying, blending, fermentation, brewing, or in any other manner. (9) "Manufacturer" means any person engaged in the business of manufacturing beer of intoxicating liquor. (10) "Wholesale distributor" and "distributor" means a person engaged in the business of selling to retail dealers for purposes of resale. (11) "Hotel" has the meaning set forth in Section 3731.01 of the Revised Code, subject to the exceptions mentioned in Section 3731.03 of the Revised Code. (12) "Restaurant" means a place located in a permanent building provided with space and accommodations wherein, in consideration of the payment of money, hot meals are habitually prepared, sold, and served at noon and evening, as the principal business of the place. Such meaning excludes drugstores, confectionery stores, lunch stands, night clubs, and filling stations. (13) "Club" means a corporation or association of individuals organized in good faith for social, recreational, benevolent, charitable, , political, patriotic, or athletic purposes, which is the owner, lessor, or occupant of a permanent building or part thereof operated solely for such purposes, membership in which entails the prepayment of regular dues, and includes the place so operated. (14) "Night club" means a place operated for profit where food is served for consumption on the premises and one (1) or more forms of amusement are provided or permitted for a consideration which may be in the form of a cover charge or may be included in the price of the food and beverages, or both, purchased by the patrons thereof. (15) "At retail" means for use or consumption by the purchaser and not for resale. (16) "Drugstore" means an establishment as defined in Section 4729.27 of the Revised Code which is under the management or control of a legally registered pharmacist. (17) "Enclosed shopping center" means a group of retail sales and service business establishments that face into an enclosed mall, share common ingress, egress, and parking facilities, and are situated on a tract of land that contains an area of not less than five hundred thousand (500,000) square feet. (18) "Controlled access alcohol and beverage cabinet" means a closed container, either refrigerated, in whole or in part, or nonrefrigerated, access to the interior of which is restricted by means of a device which requires the use of a key, magnetic card, or similar device and from which beer, intoxicating liquor, other beverages, or food may be sold. (19) Residence means two (2) or more contiguous election precincts within a county, as described by a petition authorized by Sections 4301.33, 4303.29 or 4305.14 of the Revised Code. (20) "Convention center" means any convention, sports, or entertainment facility, or any combination of these, with a seating capacity of five thousand (5,000) or more that is used by and accessible to the general public. (21) Low-alcohol beverage" means either of the following: (a) Any brewed or fermented malt product, or any product made from the fermented juices of grapes, fruits, or other agricultural products, that contains either no alcohol or less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume; (b) Any beverage that is not a brewed or fermented malt product, or that is not a product made from the fermented juices of grapes, fruits, or other agricultural products, but that is advertised or identified as if it were such by its manufacturer, wholesale distributor, or retailer. The beverages described in division (B)(21)(b) of this section do not include a soft drink such as root beer, birch beer, or ginger beer. (ORC 4301.01) (22) "Department" means the Ohio Department of Liquor Control. (23) "Commission" means the Ohio Liquor Control Commission. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.03 Unlawful conduct.

2325.03 - Unlawful conduct. (A) No owner or operator of a premises licensed by the Department of Liquor Control for the sale and/or consumption of beer or intoxicating liquor shall: (1) Employ or permit to be employed any musician, entertainer or any other person under the age of eighteen; (2) Permit or allow any employee, entertainer, or patron to expose the employee, entertainer, or patron's genitals, pubic area, or buttocks with less than a full opaque covering, or, if such person is a female, a breast with less than a full opaque covering on any part of the nipple; (3) Permit or allow any employee, entertainer, or patron to place the employee, entertainer, or patron's hand upon, touch with any part of the employee, entertainer, or patron's body, fondle in any manner, or massage the genitals, pubic area, or buttocks of any other person or the breasts of any female, or if the employee is a female, of any other female; (4) Permit or allow any employee, entertainer or patron to perform, offer, or agree to perform any act that would require the touching of the genitals, pubic area, or buttocks of any other person or the breasts of any female or, if the employee is a female, of any other female. (B) No employee of a premises licensed by the Department of Liquor Control for the sale and/or consumption of beer or intoxicating liquor shall: (1) Place the employee's other hand upon, touch with any part of the employee's other body, fondle in any manner, or massage the genitals, pubic area, or buttocks of any other person or the breasts of any female or, if the employee is a female, of any other female; (2) Perform, offer, or agree to perform any act that would require the touching of the genitals, pubic area, or buttocks of any other person or the breasts of any female or, if the employee is a female, of any other female; (3) Uncover the genitals, pubic area, or buttocks of any other person or the breasts of any female, or if the employee is a female, of any other female. (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of unlawful conduct, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.09 Keeping place where intoxicating liquors are sold.

2325.09 - Keeping place where intoxicating liquors are sold. (A) No person shall keep a place where beer or intoxicating liquors are sold, furnished, or given away in violation of law. (B) No person shall recklessly purchase, possess or consume beer or intoxicating liquor in a place where beer or intoxicating liquor is sold, furnished or given away in violation of law. (C) Upon conviction of a subsequent offense, the elements of which occurred at or upon such premises, any place where beer or intoxicating liquor is sold in violation of law is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, subject to abatement, and an action may be brought in equity to abate such nuisance and to perpetually enjoin the person maintaining the same from further maintenance thereof. (D) Property used in violation of this section shall be seized and forfeited to the city of Columbus upon motion made in a court of competent jurisdiction. (E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of keeping a place where intoxicating liquor or beer is sold in violation of law, a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender has previously been convicted under this section or Section 4399.09 of the Revised Code, a mandatory penalty of at least thirty (30) days imprisonment and a fine of at least five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be imposed. If the offender has previously been convicted two or more times under this section and/or Section 4399.09 of the Revised Code, a mandatory penalty of at least forty-five (45) days imprisonment and a fine of at least seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00) shall be imposed. (ORC 4399.09(C); Ord. 2535-94.)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.14 Use of intoxicating liquor in a public dance hall.

2325.14 - Use of intoxicating liquor in a public dance hall. (A) No person who is the proprietor of any public dance hall, or who conducts, manages, or is in charge of any public dance hall, shall allow the use of any intoxicating liquor or the presence of intoxicated persons in such dance hall or on the premises on which such dance hall is located; but the prohibition against the use of any intoxicating liquor does not apply to establishments that are holders of a D-l, D-2, D-3, D-4, or D-5 permit whose principal business consists of conducting a hotel, a restaurant, a club, or a night club as defined by Section 2313.01 of the Columbus City Codes. No person who is the proprietor of any public dance hall, or who conducts, manages, or is in charge thereof, shall permit the presence at such public dance hall of any child younger than eighteen years of age, not accompanied by the child's parent or legal guardian. (ORC 4399.14) (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of permitting intoxicating liquor in a public dance hall, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ORC 4399.99(E); Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.22 Restrictions on sale of beer and liquor.

2325.22 - Restrictions on sale of beer and liquor. Sales of beer and intoxicating liquor under all classes of permits and from State liquor stores are subject to the following restrictions, in addition to those imposed by the rules or orders of the Department of Liquor Control: (A) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no beer or intoxicating liquor shall be sold to any person under twenty-one years of age. (2) No low-alcohol beverage shall be sold to any person under eighteen years of age. (3) No intoxicating liquor shall be handled by any person under twenty-one years of age, except that a person eighteen years of age or older employed by a permit holder may handle or sell beer or intoxicating liquor in sealed containers in connection with wholesale or retail sales, and any person nineteen years of age or older employed by a permit holder may handle intoxicating liquor in open containers when acting in the capacity of a waiter or waitress in a hotel, restaurant, club, or night club, as defined in division (B) of Section 2325.01 of the Columbus City Codes, or in the premises of a D-7 permit holder. This section does not authorize persons under twenty-one years of age to sell intoxicating liquor across a bar. Any person employed by a permit holder may handle beer or intoxicating liquor in sealed containers in connection with manufacturing, storage, warehousing, placement, stocking, bagging, loading, or unloading, and may handle beer or intoxicating liquor in open containers in connection with cleaning tables or handling empty bottles or glasses. (B) No sales shall be made to an intoxicated person. (C) No intoxicating liquor shall be sold to any individual who habitually drinks intoxicating liquor to excess, or to whom the Department of Liquor Control has, after investigation, determined to prohibit the sale of such intoxicating liquor, because of cause shown by the spouse, parent, sibling, or other person dependent upon, or in charge of such individual, or by the mayor of any municipal corporation, or a township trustee of any township in which the individual resides. The order of the Department in such case shall remain in effect until revoked by the Department of Liquor Control. (D) No sales of intoxicating liquor shall be made after 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, except that intoxicating liquor may be sold on Sunday under authority of a permit which authorizes Sunday sale. (E) (1) Whoever violates division (A)(1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, shall be fined not less than five hundred and not more than one thousand dollars, and, in addition to the fine, may be imprisoned for a definite term of not more than sixty days. (2) Whoever violates division (A)(3), (B) or (C) of this section is guilty of misdemeanor of the third degree. (3) Whoever violates division (A)(2) or (D) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (ORC 4301.22) (ORC 4301.99(I)) (ORC 4301.99(E).) (ORC 4301.99(15); Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.58 Activities prohibited without permit.

2325.58 - Activities prohibited without permit. (A) No person, by the person's self or by the person's clerk, agent, or employee, who is not the holder of an A permit issued by the Department of Liquor Control, in force at the time, and authorizing the manufacture of beer or intoxicating liquor, or who is not an agent or employee of the Department authorized to manufacture such beer or intoxicating liquor, shall manufacture any beer or intoxicating liquor for sale, or shall manufacture spirituous liquor. (B) No person, by the person's self or by the person's clerk, agent, or employee, who is not the holder of a B, C, D, E, F, G, or I permit issued by the Department, in force at the time, and authorizing the sale of beer, intoxicating liquor, or alcohol, or who is not an agent or employee of the Department or the Tax Commissioner authorized to sell such beer, intoxicating liquor, or alcohol, shall sell, keep, or possess beer, intoxicating liquor, or alcohol for sale to any persons other than those authorized by Chapter 2325 of the Columbus City Codes or Chapters 4301 and 4303 of the Revised Code to purchase any beer or intoxicating liquor, or sell any alcohol at retail. This division does not apply to or affect the sale or possession for sale of any low-alcohol beverage. (C) No person, by the person's self or by the person's clerk, agent, or employee, who is the holder of a permit issued by the Department, shall sell, keep, or possess for sale any intoxicating liquor not purchased from the Department or from the holder of a permit issued by the Department authorizing the sale of such intoxicating liquor unless the same has been purchased with the special consent of the Department. (ORC 4301.58) (D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of conducting liquor activities without a permit, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ORC 4301.99(C); Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 1300-2010, § 2, 10-28-2010; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.62 Reserved.

Columbus City Codes § 2325.63 Minimum age for purchases.

2325.63 - Minimum age for purchases. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person under the age of twenty-one years shall purchase beer or intoxicating liquor. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor under the age of twenty-one purchasing beer or intoxicating liquor, shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars. The court imposing a fine for a violation of this section may order that the fine be paid by the performance of public work at a reasonable hourly rate established by the court. The court shall designate the time within which the public work shall be completed. (ORC 4301.63) (ORC 4301.99(F); Ord. 2535-94.)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.64 Consumption in a motor vehicle.

2325.64 - Consumption in a motor vehicle. (A) No person shall consume any beer or intoxicating liquor in a motor vehicle. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of consumption in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (ORC 4301.64) (ORC 4301.99(B); Ord. 2535-94.)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.66 Obstructing search of premises.

2325.66 - Obstructing search of premises. (A) No person shall hinder or obstruct any agent or employee of the Department of Liquor Control, or any Columbus police officer from making inspection or search of any place, other than a bona fide private residence, where beer or intoxicating liquor is possessed, kept, sold, or given away. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of obstructing a liquor permit premises search, a violation of the first degree. (ORC 4301.66) (ORC 4301.99(C); Ord. 2535-94.)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.67 Illegal possession of intoxicating liquor or beer.

2325.67 - Illegal possession of intoxicating liquor or beer. (A) No person shall have in the person's possession any spirituous liquor, in excess of one quart, in one or more containers, which was not purchased at wholesale or retail from the Department of Liquor Control or otherwise lawfully acquired pursuant to Chapters 4301 and 4303 of the Revised Code, or any other intoxicating liquor or beer, in one or more containers, which was not lawfully acquired pursuant to Chapters 4301 and 4303 of the Revised Code. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of illegal possession of intoxicating liquor or beer, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (ORC 4301.67) (ORC 4301.99(B); Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.68 Diluted liquor and refilled containers.

2325.68 - Diluted liquor and refilled containers. (A) No person shall sell, offer for sale, or possess intoxicating liquor in any original container which has been diluted, refilled, or partly refilled. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of possession of diluted liquor, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ORC 4301.68) (ORC 4301.99(C); Ord. 2535-94.)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.69 Sale to underage persons; public places and accommodations restrictions.

2325.69 - Sale to underage persons; public places and accommodations restrictions. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, or Chapter 4301 of the Revised Code no person shall sell beer or intoxicating liquor to an underage person, shall buy beer or intoxicating liquor for an underage person, or shall furnish it to an underaged person, unless given by a physician in the regular line of his practice or given for established religious purposes, or unless the underage person is accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian. (B) No person who is the owner or occupant of any public or private place shall knowingly allow any underage person to remain in or on the place while possessing or consuming beer or intoxicating liquor, unless the intoxicating liquor or beer is given to the person possessing or consuming it by that person's parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian and the parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian is present at the time of the person's possession or consumption of the beer or intoxicating liquor. An owner of a public or private place is not liable for acts or omissions in violation of this division that are committed by a lessee of that place, unless the owner authorizes or acquiesces in the lessee's acts or omissions. (C) No person shall engage or use accommodations at a hotel, inn, cabin, campground, or restaurant when the person knows or has reason to know either of the following: (1) That beer or intoxicating liquor will be consumed by an underage person on the premises of the accommodations that the person engages or uses, unless the person engaging or using the accommodations is the spouse of the underage person and who is not the person's self an underage person, or is the parent or legal guardian of all of the underage persons, who consume beer or intoxicating liquor on the premises and that person is on the premises at all times when beer or intoxicating liquor is being consumed by an underage person; (2) That a drug of abuse will be consumed on the premises of the accommodations by any person, except a person who obtained the drug of abuse pursuant to a prescription issued by a practitioner and has the drug of abuse in the original container in which it was dispensed to the person. (D) (1) No person is required to permit the engagement of accommodations at any hotel, inn, cabin, or campground by an underage person or for an underage person, if the person engaging the accommodations knows or has reason to know that the underage person is intoxicated, or that the underage person possess any beer or intoxicating liquor and is not accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian who is or will be present at all times when the beer or intoxicating liquor is being consumed by the underage person. (2) No underage person shall knowingly engage or attempt to engage accommodations at any hotel, inn, cabin, or campground by presenting identification that falsely indicates that the person is twenty-one years of age or older for the purpose of violating this section. (E) No underage person shall knowingly possess or consume any beer or intoxicating liquor, in any public or private place, unless the person is accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian, or unless the beer or intoxicating liquor is given by a physician in the regular line of the person's practice or given for established religious purposes. (F) No parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian of a minor shall knowingly permit the minor to violate this section or Sections 2325.63, 2325.632, 2325.633, 2325.634 of the Columbus City Codes. (G) The operator of any hotel, inn, cabin, or campground shall make the provisions of this section available in writing to any person engaging or using accommodations at the hotel, inn, cabin, or campground. (H) As used in this section: (1) "Drug of abuse" has the same meaning as in Section 3719.011 of the Revised Code. (2) "Hotel" has the same meaning as in Section 3731.01 of the Revised Code. (3) "Minor" means a person under the age of eighteen years. (4) "Practitioner" and "prescription" have the same meanings as in Section 3719.01 of the Revised Code. (5) "Underage person" means a person under the age of twenty-one years. (I) (1) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, shall be fined not less than five hundred and not more than one thousand dollars, and, in addition to the fine, may be imprisoned for a definite term of not more than six months. (2) Whoever violates division (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ORC 4301.69) (ORC 4301.99(J)) (ORC 4301.99(C); Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.631 Prohibition; minors under eighteen years; low alcohol beverages.

2325.631 - Prohibition; minors under eighteen years; low alcohol beverages. (A) As used in this section, "underage person" means a person under eighteen years of age. (B) No underage person shall purchase any low-alcohol beverage. (C) No underage person shall order, pay for, share the cost of, or attempt to purchase any low alcohol beverage. (D) No person shall knowingly furnish any false information as to the name, age, or other identification of any underage person for the purpose of obtaining or with the intent to obtain any low-alcohol beverage for an underage person, by purchase or as a gift. (E) No underage person shall knowingly show or give false information concerning the person's name, age, or other identification for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise obtaining any low-alcohol beverage in any place in this State. (F) No person shall sell or furnish any low-alcohol beverage to, or buy any low-alcohol beverage for, an underage person, unless given by a physician in the regular line of the physician's practice or given for established religious purposes, or unless the underage person is accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian. No permit issued by the Department of Liquor Control shall be suspended, revoked, or canceled because of a violation of this division or division (G) of this section. (G) No person who is the owner or occupant of any public or private place shall knowingly allow any underage person to remain in or on the place while possessing or consuming any low-alcohol beverage, unless the low-alcohol beverage is given to that person possessing or consuming it by that person's parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian, and the parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian is present when the person possesses or consumes the low-alcohol beverage. An owner of a public or private place is not liable for acts or omissions in violation of this division that are committed by a lessee of that place, unless the owner authorizes or acquiesces in the lessee's acts or omissions. (H) No underage person shall knowingly possess or consume any low-alcohol beverage in any public or private place, unless the person is accompanied by a parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian, or unless the low-alcohol beverage is given by a physician in the regular line of his practice or given for established religious purposes. (I) No parent, spouse who is not an underage person, or legal guardian of an underage person shall knowingly permit the underage person to violate this section. (J) Whoever violates division (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), or (I) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (ORC 4301.99(B)) (K) Whoever violates division (B) of this section shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars. The court imposing a fine for a violation of this section may order that the fine be paid by the performance of public work at a reasonable hourly rate established by the court. The court shall designate the time within which the public work shall be completed. (ORC 4301.99(F); Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.632 Prohibitions; persons under twenty-one years.

2325.632 - Prohibitions; persons under twenty-one years. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person under the age of twenty-one years shall order, pay for, share the cost of, or attempt to purchase any beer or intoxicating liquor, or consume any beer or intoxicating liquor, either from a sealed or unsealed container or by the glass or by the drink, or possess any beer or intoxicating liquor, in any public or private place. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of prohibitions for a minor under the age of twenty-one, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ORC 4301.632) (ORC 4301.99(C); Ord. 2535-94.)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.633 Misrepresentation to obtain alcohol for a minor.

2325.633 - Misrepresentation to obtain alcohol for a minor. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall knowingly furnish any false information as to the name, age, or other identification of any person under twenty-one years of age for the purpose of obtaining or with the intent to obtain, beer or intoxicating liquor for a person under twenty-one years of age, by purchase, or as a gift. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of misrepresentation to obtain an alcoholic beverage for a minor, a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ORC 4301.633) (ORC 4301.99(C); Ord. 2535-94.)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.634 Misrepresentation by a minor.

2325.634 - Misrepresentation by a minor. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person under the age of twenty-one years shall knowingly show or give false information concerning the person's name, age, or other identification for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise obtaining beer or intoxicating liquor in any place in this city where beer or intoxicating liquor is sold under a permit issued by the Department of Liquor Control or sold by the Department of Liquor Control. (ORC 4301.634) (B) (1) Whoever violates Section 2325.634 of the Columbus City Codes is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. If, in committing a first violation of that section, the offender presented to the permit holder or the permit holder's employee or agent a false, fictitious, or altered identification card, a false or fictitious driver's license purportedly issued by any state, or a driver's license issued by any state which has been altered, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty and not more than one thousand dollars, and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than six months. (2) On a second violation in which, for the second time, the offender presented to the permit holder or the permit holder's employee or agent a false, fictitious, or altered identification card, a false or fictitious driver's license purportedly issued by any state, or a driver's license issued by any state which has been altered, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be fined not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars, and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than six months. The court also may suspend the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privilege or deny the offender the opportunity to be issued a driver's or commercial driver's license for a period not exceeding sixty days. (3) On a third or subsequent violation in which, for the third or subsequent time, the offender presented to the permit holder or the permit holder's employee or agent a false, fictitious, or altered identification card, a false or fictitious driver's license purportedly issued by any state, or a driver's license issued by any state which has been altered, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be fined not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars, and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than six months. The court also shall suspend the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privilege or deny the offender the opportunity to be issued a driver's or commercial driver's license for a period of ninety days, and the court may order that the suspension or denial remain in effect until the offender attains the age of twenty-one years. The court also may order the offender to perform a determinate number of hours of community service, with the court determining the actual number of hours and the nature of the community service the offender shall perform. (ORC 4301.99(G); Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 2325.639 Immunity of permit holder, agent or employee.

2325.639 - Immunity of permit holder, agent or employee. No permit holder, the permit holder's agent, or employee, may be found guilty of a violation of any section of this chapter in which age is an element of the offense, if any court of record finds all of the following: (A) That the person buying, at the time of so doing, exhibited to the permit holder, the permit holder's agent or employee or other person, a driver's or commercial driver's license or an identification card issued under Sections 4507.50 to 4507.52 of the Revised Code showing that the person buying was then at least twenty-one years of age if the person was buying beer as defined in Section 2325.01 of the City Code or intoxicating liquor or that the person was then at least eighteen years of age if the person was buying any low-alcohol beverage; (B) That the permit holder, the permit holder's agent or employee or the other person made a bona fide effort to ascertain the true age of the person buying by checking the identification presented, at the time of the purchase, to ascertain that the description on the identification compared with the appearance of the buyer and that the identification presented had not been altered in any way; (C) That the permit holder, the permit holder's agent or employee, or other person had reason to believe that the person buying was of legal age. In any action or proceeding before a court of record in which a defense is raised under this section, the registrar of motor vehicles or the registrar's deputy who issued an identification card under Sections 4507.50 to 4507.52 of the Revised Code shall be permitted to submit certified copies of the records, in the registrar's possession, of such issuance in lieu of the testimony of the personnel of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at any proceeding. (ORC 4301.639; Ord. 2535-94; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT23GEOFCO_CH2325LICOFetched: 10/27/2026