HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 27 - Ordinance Amending Chapter 31 SAMC Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
www.santa-ana.org/parks
Item # 27
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
May 5, 2026
TOPIC: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana Amending Chapter
31 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code
AGENDA TITLE
Ordinance Amending Municipal Code to Allow Permitted Users to Serve and Consume
Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits at City Facilities and to Increase Permit Threshold
Related to Picnics of Fifty (50) or More Persons
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve first reading of an ordinance (Exhibit 1) amending Chapter 31
(Recreation, Parks and Playgrounds to allow for permitted users to serve and
consume beer, wine, and distilled spirits at City facilities with the expressed
written consent of the City Manager or designee and to increase permit threshold
related to picnics to fifty (50) or more persons.
ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXXX entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AMENDING CHAPTER 31 OF THE SANTA ANA
MUNICIPAL CODE
2. Determine that, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the project is categorically exempt from
further review per Section 15301 (Class 1 — Existing Facilities).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
At the direction of City Council, staff reviewed the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC)
Chapter 31 to improve access and to develop a framework for reservations at City parks
and facilities. Staff in the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency (PRCSA)
as well as in the Santa Ana Police Department, the City Attorney's Office, and the Risk
Management Division determined that updating the SAMC to allow for alcohol service
and consumption at City facilities and to increase permitting thresholds related to picnics
from forty (40) to fifty (50) was feasible.
Historically, the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) has restricted the possession, sale,
and consumption of alcoholic beverages at City parks and recreation facilities, except
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana Amending Chapter 31 of the
Santa Ana Municipal Code
May 5, 2026
Page 2
where specifically authorized by City Council. Over time, limited amendments to Chapter
31 have been adopted to allow alcohol at select facilities or events when appropriate
controls are in place. Most recently, in September 2024, City Council approved
Ordinance No. NS-3069, authorizing the sale and consumption of beer, wine, and distilled
spirits at Eddie West Stadium during permitted events. That amendment was successfully
implemented and has since demonstrated that alcohol service can be responsibly
managed at City facilities when supported by clear permit conditions, interdepartmental
review, and enforcement standards.
Building on that experience, staff evaluated opportunities to expand alcohol service to
additional facilities through a consistent, regulated framework. The proposed ordinance
amendment provides the authority to allow permitted events to serve and consume beer,
wine, and distilled spirits at City owned facilities, subject to the written approval of the City
Manager or designee. Staff will return to City Council with a Rental Facility Use Policy
with an accompanying Resolution for City Council consideration. The Policy would
implement the authority granted by the proposed Ordinance by establishing standardized,
department-wide procedures for facility reservations with alcohol that clearly define rules,
fees, and accountability measures. The proposed Ordinance would provide residents with
accessible and competitive event venue options that are in alignment with industry
standards.
The draft Rental Facility Use Policy for future City Council consideration was developed
in coordination with the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency (PRCSA),
City Attorney's Office, Santa Ana Police Department, and Risk Management Division to
ensure compliance with state and local law, public safety requirements, and risk
management best practices. Under the policy, alcohol would be permitted only through
an approved reservation and subject to specific operational controls, including limits on
service duration, designated service areas, age verification requirements, mandatory
security staffing, insurance requirements, and compliance with Alcoholic Beverage
Control (ABC) regulations. Events involving alcohol sales would be required to obtain an
appropriate ABC license and those involving food service would be subject to review by
the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA).
The policy would establish a single designated Responsible Party for each event who
must be at least 21 years of age and be present for the duration of the event. The
Responsible Party would be accountable for the conduct of all attendees, compliance with
all policy requirements, and any damages or additional City costs incurred.
Event reservations shall be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with
standardized timelines, payment deadlines, and fee structures applied in accordance with
the annually adopted City of Santa Ana fee schedule. This approach improves clarity for
users, ensures a consistent and equitable process for no-cost requests, and enhances
administrative efficiency for staff.
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Santa Ana Amending Chapter 31 of the
Santa Ana Municipal Code
May 5, 2026
Page 3
If the City Council approves the recommendation, the proposed Ordinance will return to
City Council on May 19, 2026 for adoption and would become effective July 1, 2026.
Adoption of the proposed Ordinance will facilitate the addition or adjustment of applicable
fees within the City's fee schedule as part of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget
development process, with implementation effective July 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA
Guidelines, the project is categorically exempt from further review per Section 15060(c)(2)
and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The Project is also exempt from
CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines as it can be seen with
certainty that there is no possibility the ordinance will have a significant effect on the
environment.
Upon adoption of the ordinance's first reading, a Notice of Exemption will be filed for the
project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The future additional fees charged for permitting events with service and consumption of
beer, wine, and distilled spirits cannot be quantified at this time; and will be deposited into
General Fund Revenue Account 01113002-57010.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Ordinance Amending Chapter 31
Submitted By: Hawk Scott, Executive Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nunez, City Manager
ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 31 OF
THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines and
declares as follows:
A. In September 2024, the City Council approved a community event to be held at
Eddie West Stadium which included authorization for the consumption of alcoholic
beverages. Following this event, City staff conducted research into expanding
authorization for the consumption of beer, wine, and distilled spirits at City facilities
with proper permitting.
B. The Santa Ana Municipal Code ("SAMC") prohibits the service and consumption
of alcoholic beverages in any City park (SAMC § 31-2.1).
C. The SAMC prohibits the service and consumption of alcoholic beverages in any
stadium or zoo, unless permitted by a contract approved by the city council (SAMC
31-2.).
D. Allowing for the service and consumption of alcoholic beverages at permitted
events would enhance the attractiveness and usability of City facilities for private
and community events. Such authorization would offer residents a more affordable
alternative to private venues while increasing competitiveness of the City's public
facilities relative to those offered by neighboring jurisdictions currently permitting
alcohol under regulated and controlled circumstances.
E. The City has developed a Rental Facility Use Policy outlining specific requirements
for events seeking to serve alcohol, including detailed procedures for obtaining the
necessary permits, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and
promoting safe and appropriate use of City facilities.
Section 2. The City Council finds and determines that this ordinance is not subject to
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQX) and the CEQA Guidelines, the adoption of this
Ordinance is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and
15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The Ordinance is also exempt
from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines as it can be seen
with certainty that there is no possibility the ordinance will have a significant effect on the
environment.
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 1 of 3
Section 3. Section 31-2 (Prohibited Conduct)of Chapter 31 of the SAMC is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows (new language is underlined and deleted
language is stricken):
The conduct described in sections 31-2.1 through 31-2.19 shall be prohibited
within the exterior boundary lines of any public park unless specifically allowed through
the issuance of a permit pursuant to the requirements of section 31-3. The conduct
described in sections 31-2.1 through 31-2.19 shall be prohibited in the stadium or zoo,
unless:
(a) Approved pursuant to a contract adopted by City Council; or
(b) In accordance with the City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency's
Rental Facility Use Policy, adopted by resolution of the City Council.
Section 4. Section 31-2.1. (Alcohol and drunkenness) of Chapter 31 of the SAMC
is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows (new language is underlined and
deleted language is stricken):
(a) No person shall bring into, possess, consume or sell alcoholic beverages in a park
or zoo, unless otherwise permitted in this Chapter
(b) No intoxicated person shall enter, be or remain in any park, zoo or stadium.
Section 5. Section 31-3 (Permits—Required) of Chapter 31 of the SAMC is
hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows (new language is underlined and deleted
language is stricken):
No person in a park shall conduct, operate, present, manage or take part in any of
the following activities, unless a permit is obtained prior to the start of the activity.
(a) Any picnic, outing or gathering sponsored by any person and composed of fifty
(50) or more persons.
(b) Any exhibit, dramatic performance, play, motion picture, radio or television
broadcast, fair, circus, musical event or any similar event.
(c) Any use of any park facility by a certain person or group of persons to the exclusion
of others.
(d) Any use where alcohol is served or consumed in accordance with the City's Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Agency's Rental Facility Use Policy, adopted
by resolution of the City Council.
Section 6. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after its
adoption.
Section 7. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Ordinance and shall
cause the same to be published as required by law.
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 2 of 3
ADOPTED this day of 2026.
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Sonia R. Carvalho
City Attorney
By:
Jonathan T. Martin z
Assistant City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers:
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers:
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, Jennifer L. Hall, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify that the attached Ordinance
No. NS- to be the original ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of
Santa Ana on , and that said ordinance was published in
accordance with the Charter of the City of Santa Ana.
Date:
City Clerk
City of Santa Ana
Ordinance No. NS-XXX
Page 3 of 3