CA SB969

Expands entertainment zone authority from San Francisco only to any city, county, or city and county, effective January 1, 2025, allowing open container consumption of alcoholic beverages on public streets and sidewalks during special events.

Requires cities, counties, or city and counties to notify local law enforcement and request feedback on proposed entertainment zones before adoption, including boundaries, hours of operation, and types of beverages permitted.

Mandates biennial reviews of entertainment zone operations by local jurisdictions in consultation with law enforcement, with reports available to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control upon request.

Removes restrictions on off-sale privileges for licensed beer manufacturers, winegrowers, and on-sale licensees participating in entertainment zones, allowing them to permit open container removal from their premises for zone consumption regardless of other operating restrictions.

Requires entertainment zones to only permit consumption during hours when sales are legal under state law and when at least one licensed premises within the zone is permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.