Possession of open alcoholic beverage container.
Riverside Municipal Code § 9.05.020
in effect9.05.020 - Possession of open alcoholic beverage container.
A. Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 647e (a), it shall be unlawful for any person who has in his or her possession any bottle, can or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened, or a seal broken or the contents of which have been partially removed, to enter, be or remain on the posted premises of, including the posted parking lot immediately adjacent to, any retail package off-sale alcoholic beverage licensee licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 23000 of the Business and Professions Code), or on any public sidewalk immediately adjacent to the licensed premises.
B. Within 30 days of adoption of a resolution of the City Council so requiring, all retail package off-sale alcoholic beverage licensees licensed pursuant to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code to operate in the City, shall post such licensed premises with notices clearly visible to patrons of the licensee and the parking lot immediately adjacent to the licensed premises and to persons on the adjacent public sidewalk that the provisions of subsection A of this section are applicable. Such notices shall include language that states that possession of any opened alcoholic beverage container is prohibited by law. Licensees shall ensure that such notices remain posted at all times.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a private residential parking lot which is immediately adjacent to the posted premises.
D. Pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Section 25620, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any bottle, can or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened, or a seal broken or the contents of which have been partially removed, within any City park, or any recreation and park district, or any regional park or open-space district, or other City-owned public place.
1. Nothing in this section shall apply where the possession is within premises located in a park or other public place for which a license has been issued pursuant to California Business and Professions Code, Division 9, Section 23000 et seq.
2. This section does not apply when an individual is in possession of an alcoholic beverage container for the purpose of recycling or other related activity.
3. Any violation of this section shall be an infraction pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 25620(a).
(Ord. 6552 § 1, 2000; Ord. 6433 § 1, 1998; Ord. 5792 § 1, 1990)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT9PESAMO_CH9.05POALBEPOPRCOALBEPUPL_9.05.020POOPALBECOFetched: 11/1/2026