As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE. Alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer, which contains one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed, or combined with other substances, and sales of which requires a State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY. The retail sale, for on- or off- premises consumption, of liquor, beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages, excluding full-service restaurants that comply with the below-listed definition of full service restaurant.
CONDITION OF APPROVAL. A requirement, which must be carried out by the activity in order to retain its deemed approved status.
DEEMED APPROVED ACTIVITY. Any legal nonconforming alcoholic beverage sales commercial activity, as defined in this section, in existence immediately prior to the effective date of the deemed approved alcoholic beverage sale regulations shall be considered a DEEMED APPROVED ACTIVITY as long as it complies with the deemed approved performance standards as set forth in § 153.364, and shall no longer be considered a legal nonconforming activity.
DEEMED APPROVED STATUS. The status conferred upon a deemed approved activity. DEEMED APPROVED STATUS replaces legal nonconforming status.
FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT. A place which is regularly and in a bona fide manner used and kept open for the serving of at least lunch and dinner to guests for compensation and which has suitable kitchen facilities connected therewith, containing conveniences for cooking an assortment of foods which may be required for such meals. The sale or service of sandwiches (whether prepared in a kitchen or made elsewhere and heated up on the premises) or snack foods shall not constitute a FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT. To be considered a FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT under the deemed approved program, the establishment must meet the following criteria:
(1) A FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT shall serve meals to guests at all times the establishment is open for business. An establishment shall not be considered a FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT if it served alcohol without meal service being provided with the exception that alcohol sales to restaurant patrons may continue for up to two hours after meal service has ceased to allow guests to comfortably complete their meals.
(2) There shall be a real offer or holding out to sell meals. Premises shall make an offer or holding out of sales of meals to the public by maintaining and displaying a printed menu and/or a menu board. A two-thirds majority of the items offered on the menu shall be available at any given time the establishment is open. The mere offering of meals without actual sales shall not be deemed sufficient.
(3) The offer of meals is not adequate to meet the above criteria. A FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT shall make actual and substantial sales of meals to guests for compensation. Substantial sales shall mean that no less than 60% of total revenue shall be generated from food service and no more than 40% of revenue from the sales of alcohol.
(4) “Meals” means the usual assortment of foods commonly ordered at various times of the day for the cuisine served. The service of snack foods and/or appetizers alone shall not be deemed compliance with this requirement. Meals shall be prepared on the premises. Heating of food prepared elsewhere shall not constitute a meal for the purposes of this policy.
(5) Premises shall be equipped for meal service and maintained in good faith. Premises must possess and maintain appliances for the cooking of a variety of foods such as stoves, ovens, broilers, or other devices, as well as pots, pans, or containers that can be used for cooking. Premises shall possess the necessary utensils, table service, and condiment dispensers with which to serve meals to the public.
(6) A FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT shall comply with all local health department standards.
(7) A FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT may have a separate lounge or bar area provided that the restaurant and bar/lounge area operate as a single entity. The physical layout, entry location(s),
spatial connection between the areas, and operational characteristics, among other factors, shall be used to determine compliance. Any bar/lounge area cannot remain open when the dining area is closed. However, the dining area may be open while the bar/lounge area is closed.
(8) To the extent that ABC regulations do not conflict with the above criteria, a FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT shall comply with all State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations related to "Bona fide public eating place, meals."
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. An activity which has been finally determined to be in noncompliance with the deemed approved performance standards of this chapter. Such an activity shall lose its deemed approved status and shall no longer be considered a deemed approved activity.
LEGAL NONCONFORMING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY or LEGAL NONCONFORMING ACTIVITY. An alcoholic beverage sales commercial activity which was a nonconforming use pursuant to the nonconforming use regulations, and for which a valid state of California Alcoholic Beverage Control license had been issued and used in the exercise of the rights and privileges conferred by the license, at a time immediately prior to the effective date of the deemed approved alcoholic beverage sale regulations. Such an activity shall be considered a deemed approved activity, and shall no longer be considered a LEGAL NONCONFORMING ACTIVITY, except such activity shall be subject to those zoning regulations relating to nonconforming uses, as of the effective date of the alcoholic beverage sale regulations.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. Regulations prescribed in the performance standards of this chapter.
PREMISES. The actual space within a building devoted to alcoholic beverage sales.
(Ord. 2005-009, passed 6-13-05)