Chapter 9.26
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF LIQUOR

Sections:

9.26.010    Open containers and consumption in vehicles prohibited.

9.26.020    Open containers and consumption in public places prohibited.

9.26.010 Open containers and consumption in vehicles prohibited.

(1) It is a traffic infraction to drink any alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is upon a highway.

(2) It is a traffic infraction for a person to have in his possession while in a motor vehicle upon a highway, a bottle, can, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage if the container has been opened or a seal broken or the contents partially removed.

(3) It is a traffic infraction for the registered owner of a motor vehicle, or the driver if the registered owner is not then present in the vehicle, to keep in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is upon a highway, a bottle, can, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage which has been opened or a seal broken or the contents partially removed, unless the container is kept in the trunk of the vehicle or in some other area of the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver or passengers if the vehicle does not have a trunk. A utility compartment or glove compartment is deemed to be within the area occupied by the driver and passengers.

(4) This section does not apply to a public conveyance that has been commercially chartered for group use or to the living quarters of a motor home or camper or, except as otherwise provided by RCW 66.44.250 or local law, to any passenger for compensation in a for-hire vehicle licensed under city, county, or state law. (Ord. 2016 § 1, 1984; Ord. 1886 § 1, 1981).

9.26.020 Open containers and consumption in public places prohibited.

No person upon the city streets, public highways or roads or in any other public place within the city which is not duly licensed for the consumption of alcoholic beverages shall drink any alcoholic beverage or have in his possession a bottle, can, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage if the container has been opened or a seal broken or the contents partially removed. Every person who violates this section shall have committed a Class 3 civil infraction under Chapter 7.80 RCW. (Ord. 2628 § 1, 1999; Ord. 2557 § 1, 1998; Ord. 2016 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1886 § 2, 1981).