Chico is joining a growing number of California cities that allow people to carry alcoholic drinks outdoors in designated entertainment zones.
The City Council approved the program on Tuesday.
NSPR's Claudia Brancart explains where people can carry drinks and the rules businesses and customers will have to follow. Listen to the conversation.
Five things to know
1. The zones are limited to downtown and Meriam Park. Only designated areas within those commercial districts are included.
2. You can't bring your own drink. Only alcoholic beverages purchased from participating businesses can be carried within the entertainment zones.
3. There are rules for businesses and customers. Participating businesses must already be licensed to serve alcohol, check IDs, use city-approved cups and provide wristbands to customers who are 21 or older.
4. The city hopes the zones will boost local businesses. Officials say the goal is to attract more visitors and encourage people to spend more time in downtown and Meriam Park. They also pointed to Redding's entertainment zone, saying it has increased business activity there without creating major public safety problems.
5. Council members say they'll be watching the program closely. All council members present voted in favor of the ordinance, but some councilors acknowledged Chico's history with alcohol-related problems and said they'll be monitoring how the program works with annual updates.
