HomeMy WebLinkAboutAlcohol ManagementCity of Palm Desert Special Event Guidelines
City of Palm Desert
Special Event Guidelines
Alcohol Management
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcoholic beverages in the State
of California. As the Host Organization or authorized representative listed on the
Citywide Special Event Permit Application you and/or your organization are legally liable
for any consumption and/or possession of alcohol by a minor.
Applying for a Permit
If you propose to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages at your event, you will be required
to obtain a permit from the California State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
(ABC) in addition to your Special Event Permit. The City of Palm Desert Sheriff
Department and State ABC representatives will review your event plans and alcohol
management strategies before your license is approved. If the proposed event will take
place on public land; within a city-owned facility; or other city-managed property, you will
also be required to have the City Manager of Palm Desert sign off on the application.
The California State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) may p lace
restrictions on the way in which alcohol is managed at your proposed event. More
information is available at www.abc.ca.gov or the local Palm Desert ABC office at
760.324.2027.
Beer Gardens
If your event is open to the public or is a private event in a venue location where alcohol
consumption is prohibited except with a special event permit, the City of Palm Desert
prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the event venue outside of a controlled space,
commonly referred to as a “beer garden”.
A beer garden is required to separate guests of a legal drinking age from those who are
not. All beer gardens must be constructed with material or in a manner that prevents
beverages from being passed through to patrons outside the controlled space.
A beer garden can be constructed using several different methods including:
One, six-foot (6’) free standing chain link fence, clear plastic sheeting, or other
material that will easily allow the interior to be visible from the outside. Posters,
banners, and other material shall not block more than 20% of the visibility.
Two, four- foot (4’) free standing fences or other barriers placed six feet (6’)
apart.
Tent structures may be used for beer gardens when appropriate security
measures are employed.
City of Palm Desert Special Event Guidelines
City of Palm Desert
Special Event Guidelines
Alcohol Management (continued)
All entrances and exits must be at least four feet wide and free of any
obstructions.
The Fire Marshal requires entrances and exits to be spaced apart from each
other based on the following formula:
o Corner to Corner Diagonal Distance ÷ 2 = Distance between Exits
Example: a 40’ x 40’ square has a diagonal measurement of 56 feet
(56’).
56’ ÷ 2’= 28’.
Therefore, the exits must be placed at least 28 feet (28’) apart from
each other.
The Fire Marshal will establish a maximum occupancy for your beer garden
based on the proposed square footage, usage and furnishings of the beer
garden.
Pre-Calculated Beer Garden Examples
As part of your event plans, you must depict the size and configuration of any proposed
beer gardens on your site plan or route map. Some events use more than one beer
garden within their defined venue area. Large-scale or unique events may use non-
standard sizes. The following information is presented to help you develop your beer
garden plans and is based on the standard sizes used at most events.
Pre-Calculated Beer Garden Examples
Beer Garden Small Medium Large Extra Large
Square Footage 600 800 1,200 1,600
Dimensions 20’w x 30’l 20’w x 40’ l 30’w x 40’ l 40’w x 40’ l
Required
Entrances/Exits
with
Furniture
1—Distance
between
entrances at
least 18’
2—Distance
between
entrances at
least 22’
2—Distance
between
entrances at
least 25’
2—Distance
between
entrances at
least 28’
Required
Entrances/Exits
Without Furniture
2—Distance
between
entrances at
least 18’
2—Distance
between
entrances at
least 22’
2—Distance
between
entrances at
least 25’
2—Distance
between
entrances at
least 28’
Maximum
Occupancy With
Furniture*
40 53 80 106
City of Palm Desert Special Event Guidelines
Maximum
Occupancy
Without
furniture*
85 114 171 228
Access to guests
under
21 years old
No No No No
Private Security Yes Yes Yes Yes
*Occupancy and entrance/exit requirements based on maximum beer garden size for each
category using calculations established in the California Fire Code. Furniture refers to the use of
belly bars, chairs/tables, and serving equipment. Use of larger furniture may reduce occupancy
levels.