Chapter 6

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

 

Article I, In General

Sec. 6-1. Open containers.

Sec& 6-2—625. Reserved

 

Article IL Licenses and Permits

 

Sec. 626. Adoption of state laws.

Sec. 627. Penalties for violation.

Sec. 628. Business license requi1ed for wholesale handling and distribution.

Sec. 6-29 Liquor permits.

Sec. 6-30. Beer permits.

Sec. 6-31. Application and renewal.

Sees 6-32—6-6O. Reserved,

 

Article III, Operating Hours

 

Sec. 661. Penalties for violation,

Sec 6-62. Businesses with retail dealers permit.

Sec. 6-63. Grocery stores, drugstores and other businesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I. IN  GENERAL

 

Sec. 6-1, Open containers.

 

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, carry or drink any alcoholic beverages from any opened glass, paper, plastic, metal or other container in or on any public streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, public gatherings or on grounds where a public gathering is being held within the town.

 

(b) The recreation board may suspend this section for the public park for special events as it deems appropriate by a two4hirds vote. Notice of the suspension of this section must be conveyed to the chief of police at least 24 hours in advance of the effective time and date of any suspension.

 

(c) It shall be unlawful for owner of any establishment who sells beverages in glass or metal containers in the town to knowingly allow any person to leave the premises of the establishment carrying an opened glass or metal container con taming alcohol.

 

Sec. 6-2 6-25. Reserved.

 

ARTICLE II LICENSES AND PERMITS

 

Sec. 6-26. Adoption of state laws.

 

For the purpose of this article, all provisions of RS. 26:274 et seq. are adopted in their entirety.

 

Sec. 6-27. Penalties for violation.

 

Any person violating this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by section 1-iL As an additional penalty, the permit issued under this article shall be revoked.

 

Sec. 6-28. Business license required for wholesale handling and distribution.

 

Before any person shall engage in the handling and distribution at wholesale of alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer of alcoholic con tents greater than one half percent alcohol by volume, such person shall apply to and obtain from the town a license to conduct such business. Such person shall pay for such license a fee of $100.00, provided that any person commencing business after July 1 shall pay one half of the license fee for that year.

 

Sec. 6-29. Liquor permits.

 

(a) Classes. There shall be issued the following types of class A retail liquor permits to businesses dealing in the sale of beverages of high alcoholic content of more than six percent by volume:

A class A general retail permit shall be issued only to a retail outlet where

beverage alcohol is sold on the premises for consumption on the premises

by paying customers. Such an establishment must be equipped with a

permanent wet bar equipped with a nonmoveable sink and a backbar or

similar equipment for public display and to inform the public of brands

and flavors offered for sale.

 

b. A class A general retail establishment shall be staffed by a bartender

whose primary duty is to open and prepare beverage alcohol products

for consumption on the premises by paying customers or to prepare beverage alcohol products with an appropriate lid or cover on the contamer for takeout services. Such an

establishment must meet all state and local health and zoning requirements as set forth by the state and by the parish and the municipality where the class A general retail outlet is located.

 

c. A class A general retail permitholder must derive at least 75 percent of its total retail sales income from the sale of beverage alcohol for consumption on the premises.

 

d. A class A general retail permit shall be issued only to an establishment where the state law provides that no person under the age of 18 years is allowed on the premises except as provided in RS. 26:90(A)(8)(a)

 

e. Notwithstanding subsections (a)(1)a through (a)(1)d of this section, the permitting authority may issue a class A general liquor permit to any bona fide commercial film theater which has a class A liquor permit on January 1, 1994

 

f, Notwithstanding subsections (a)(1)a through (a)(1)e of this section, the permitting authority may issue a class A general retail permit tc any retail establishment for consumption on or off the premises. Such establishment must meet all state and local health and zoning requirements as set for by the state and by the parish and municipality where the retail outlet is located. A class A general retail permit issued pursu ant to the authority of this subsection shall not be deemed or shall not qualify as a prerequisite for the issuance of any other type license or permit issued by the state or any political subdivisions thereof.

 

(2) Class A restaurant. A class A restaurant permit shall be issued only to a restau rant establishment as defined in this sub section and issued to a facility in conjunc tion with a class R restaurant permit. The term restaurant establishment” shall be defined as an establishment which:

 

a. Operates a place of business whose purpose and primary function is to take orders for and serve food and food items;

 

 

b. Serves alcoholic beverages in conjunction with meals;

 

c. Serves food on all days of operation;

 

d. Grosses 60 percent of its average monthly revenue from the sale of food, food items and nonalcoholic beverages;

 

e. Maintains separate sales figures for alcoholic beverages; and

 

f. Operates a fully equipped kitchen used for the preparation of uncooked foods for service and consumption of such foods on the premises.

 

(b) Fee schedule. Before engaging in the business of dealing in alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content of more than six percent by volume, every person shall apply for and obtain from the tax collector annually, dating from January 1 of each year, a permit to conduct each separate business located within the corporate limits and shall pay for each permit according to the following schedule (the maximum fee allow able under state law for each category is $500.00):

 

 

 

 

Manufacturers, for each establishment

$500.00

Wholesalers, for each place of business

$500.00

Retailers

 

Class A general, for each place business .

$100.00

Class A restaurant, for each place of business

$100.00

Class B, for each place of business

$100.00

A fee for each $100,000.00 of gross retail liquor sales, after the first $100,000.00 of gross retail liquor sales, shall be levied according to the following schedule, which shall be in addition to those fees levied in subsections (b)(3)a and (b)(3)b of this section:

 

Gross Sales (in dollars)

Additional Fees

0.00 to 99,999.99

$0

100,000.00 to 199,999.99

$100.00

200,000.00 to 299,999 99

$200.00

300,000 00 to 399,999,99

$300.00

400,000.00 and over

$400.00

 

Sec. 6-30. Beer permits.

 

(a) Classes, There shall be issued the following types of class A retail beer permits to businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content of not more than six percent by volume:

(1) Class A general

 

 a. A class A general retail permit shall be issued only to a retail outlet where beverage alcohol is sold on the premises for consumption on the premises by paying customers. Such an establishment must be equipped with a backbar or similar equipment for public display and to inform the pub lie of brands and flavors offered for sale.

 

b. A class A general retail establishment shall be staffed by a bartender whose primary duty is to open and prepare beverage alcohol products for consumption on the premises by paying customers or to prepare beverage alcohol products with an appropriate lid or cover on the con tamer for takeout service. Such an establishment must meet all state and local health and zoning requirements as set forth by the state and by the parish and the municipality where a class A general retail outlet is located.

 

c A class A general retail permit holder must derive at least 75 percent of its total retail sales income from the sale of beverage alcohol for consumption on the premises.

 

d. A class A general retail permit shall be issued only to an establishment

where the state law provides that no person under the age of 18 years is allowed on the premises except as provided in R.S 26:90(A)(8)(a).

 

e. Notwithstanding subsections (a)(1)a through (a)(1)d of this section, the permitting authority may issue a class A general retail permit for beverages of low alcoholic content to a bona fide commercial film theater which had a retailer’s class A permit for beverages of low alcoholic con- tent on January 1, 1994.

 

f, Notwithstanding subsections (a)(1)a through (a)(1)e of this section, the permitting authority may issue a class A general retail permit for beverages of low alcoholic content to any retail establishment for consumption of beverages of low alcoholic content on or off the premises. Such establishment must meet all state and local health and zoning requirements as set forth by the state and by the parish and municipality where the retail outlet is located. A class A general retail permit for beverages of low alcoholic content issued pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall not be deemed or qualify as a prerequisite for the issuance of any other type license or permit is- sued by the state or any political subdivisions thereof.

 

(2) Class A restaurant. A class A restaurant permit shall be issued only to a restaurant establishment as defined in this sub- section and shall be issued to a facility in conjunction with a class R restaurant permit. The term ‘restaurant establishment” shall be defined as an establishment which:

 

a. Operates a place of business whose purpose and primary function is to take orders for and serve food and food items;

 

b. Serves alcoholic beverages in conjunction with meals;

 

c. Serves food on all days of operation;

 

d. Grosses 60 percent of its average monthly revenue from the sale of food, food items and nonalcoholic beverages;

 

e. Maintains separate sales figures for alcoholic beverages; and

 

f. Operates a fully equipped kitchen used for the preparation of uncooked foods for service and consumption of such foods on the premises.

 

(b) Fee schedule. Before engaging in the business of dealing in alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content of not more than six percent alcohol by volume, every person shall apply for and obtain from the tax collector annually, dating from January 1 of each year, a permit to conduct each separate business located within the corporate limits and shall pay for each permit according to the following schedule:

 

Wholesale dealers, per year, maximum

$100.00

Retail dealers:

 

Class A general, per year, maximum

$75.00

Class A restaurant, per year, maximum

$75.00

Class B, per year, maximum

$60.00

 

 

Sec. 6-31. Application and renewal.

 

(a) Application. Applications to engage in the wholesale handling and distribution of alcoholic beverages; the handling, distribution, sale, use or consumption of alcoholic beverages of high alcoholic content; and the sale for use or consumption of alcoholic beverages of low alcoholic content shall be made in accordance with R.S. 26:274 et seq. Licenses may be issued by the mayor immediately after proper investigation, but for a period of 35 days after issuance such licenses shall operate on a probationary basis pending final action.

 

 

(b) Renewal, Application for license renewal shall be filed and the fees paid on or before January 15 of each year. If the dealer fails to file the application and pay the license fees by that date, there shall be added to the fee, in addition

other penalties provided in this chapter, a delinquency penalty of five percent if the failure is for not more than 30 days, with an additional five percent for each additional 30 days or fraction thereof during which the failure continues, If the dealer fails to make his application before February 1, the mayor may, without notice or hearing, suspend his right to do business.

 

Sec. 6-32 6-60. Reserved.

 

ARTICLE III OPERATING HOURS

 

Sec. 6-61. Penalties for violation.

 

Any person convicted of violating this article

 

(1) On first offense, be fined not more than $100.00 or imprisoned for not more than ten days or both.

 

(2) On second conviction, be fined no less than $250.00 or more than $500.00 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days or both.

 

(3) On the third or subsequent conviction, be fined $500.00 or imprisoned for not more than 60 days or both, and the offenders license may be suspended for not more than ten days.

 

Sec. 6-62, Businesses with retail dealer’s per

 

(a) Generally. The operating hours regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages and the operating hours regulating businesses whose main business is derived from the sale of alcoholic beverages in the town is as provided in this section

 

(b) Prohibited acts. No person holding a retail dealer’s permit and no associate, representative, servant, agent or employee of the permittee shall do or permit any of the following acts on or about the licensed premises:

 

(1) Sell, offer for sale, serve or give alcoholic beverages between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 am. on all days except Saturday and Sunday, when the morning hours shall be 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 am.

 

(2) Allow the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises between the hours of2:30 am. and 6:00 am. on all days except Saturday and Sunday, when the morning hours shall be 3:00 a.m. and 600 a.m.

 

(3) Allow anyone except employees to be or remain on the premises between 3:00 aCm. and 6:00 a,m. when the sale or handling of alcoholic beverages constitutes the main business (60 percent income).

 

(c) Exemptions. This section exempts the following days from the curfew hours: Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Day

Fourth of July

Any other days may be exempted by vote of the board of aldermen or by proclamation of the mayor.

 

Sec. 6-63, Grocery stores, drugstores and other businesses.

 

Grocery stores, drugstores or other establishments whose main business is not the sale of alcoholic beverages of high or low alcoholic con tent may remain open for sale of other items permitted by law, but any sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in such places of business during the prohibited hours set forth in section 662 is expressly prohibited.