(A) It is the duty of any person having control of any premises, who knowingly hosts, permits, or allows a gathering at said premises, to take all reasonable steps to prevent the consumption of alcoholic beverages by any minor at the gathering. Reasonable steps include controlling access to alcoholic beverages at the gathering; controlling the quantity of alcoholic beverages present at the gathering; verifying the age of persons attending the gathering by inspecting drivers’ licenses or other government-issued identification cards to ensure that minors do not consume alcoholic beverages while at the gathering; and supervising the activities of minors at the gathering.
(B) It is unlawful for any adult or other person who owns or controls any premises to knowingly host, permit, or allow a gathering or party to take place or continue at said premises where at least one minor obtains, possesses, or consumes any alcoholic beverage, whenever the person owning or having control of the premises either knows a minor has obtained, possessed, or consumed an alcoholic beverage or reasonably should know that a minor has obtained, possessed, or consumed an alcoholic beverage had the person taken all reasonable steps to prevent the obtaining, possession, or consumption of an alcoholic beverage by a minor as set forth in subsection (A) above of this section.
(C) This section shall not apply to conduct involving the use of alcoholic beverages that occurs exclusively between a minor and his or her parent or legal guardian.
(D) Nothing in this section should be interpreted to prohibit any family activity held in the confines of the family home wherein alcohol, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicating beverages are provided to immediate family members within the supervision of their parents or legal guardians. However, if the minor family member leaves such a family gathering intoxicated and is found in public, then said providers of alcohol will be held responsible in the same manner as a nonfamily gathering.
(E) Nothing in this section should be interpreted to prohibit any religious practice which includes the use of alcohol. However, if a minor leaves such a religious gathering intoxicated and is found to be in public, then said providers of alcohol will be held responsible in the same manner as a nonreligious gathering.
(F) Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a municipal offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished for violation with a fine of $250, plus court costs and statutory penalties, as allowed by law. Each incident in violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.
(G) This section shall not apply where prohibited or preempted by state or federal law.
(Prior Code, § 4-173) (Ord. 2007-10, passed 12-17-2007)