Beginning Tuesday, March 1, Escambia County’s Ordinance 2015-52 restricting open containers in public areas of the commercial district of Pensacola Beach will take effect. Residents and visitors are asked to not consume or possess any alcoholic beverages in an open container in the public areas within the commercial district like sidewalks, boardwalks, roads and parking lots. It is permissible to have an open container on the sandy portions of the beach, except the family area of Casino Beach just west of the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier.
The commercial district of Pensacola Beach is generally considered the area from the Bob Sikes Bridge south to the Casino Beach Bandstand, and from the first residence on the west to Avendia 10 on the east. See the attached map. Signs have been placed in the commercial district and beach goers are encouraged to ask lifeguards and law enforcement questions about the new policy. A special permitting process is available through the SRIA for events seeking an exemption to the open container restrictions.
In December, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance creating Volume 1, Chapter 6, Article 1, Sec. 6-4. Starting March 1, it is unlawful for any person to consume any alcoholic beverage or possess any alcoholic beverage in an open container on or upon any public parking lot, street, roadway, sidewalk, boardwalk, alleyway, paved or unpaved right-of-way, park, playground, recreational facility, or other public area within the commercial district of Pensacola Beach. See the complete ordinance here. Violators shall be subject to arrest and prosecution.
