Chapter 8.20
UNDERAGE DRINKING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Sections:

8.20.010    Definitions.

8.20.020    Underage gatherings prohibited.

8.20.030    Exemptions.

8.20.040    Civil penalty.

8.20.010 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Alcoholic beverage” shall mean alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer that contain one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume; and is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed, or combined with other substances.

(2) “Property” shall mean private property, rented residential premises, or private rented commercial spaces, including but not limited to a home, yard, garage, apartment, condominium, hotel or motel room, or other dwelling unit, or a hall or meeting room, whether occupied on a temporary or permanent basis, whether occupied as a dwelling, or used for a party or other social function, and whether owned, leased, rented, or used with or without compensation.

(3) “Responsible person” includes:

(a) The person(s) with the right to actually control the property at the time that an underage gathering occurs, whether such actual control arises by ownership, lease, or other legal right;

(b) The person(s) in immediate control of property at which an underage gathering takes place; or

(c) The person(s) who organizes, supervises, sponsors, conducts, allows, controls, or controls access to the underage gathering.

(4) “Underage gathering” means a party or gathering of four or more persons at a property at which alcoholic beverages are being or have been consumed or possessed by one or more underage persons, or at which one or more underage persons are exhibiting effects of consuming alcoholic beverages.

(5) “Underage person” shall mean any person less than 21 years of age. (Ord. O2015-385 § 1)

8.20.020 Underage gatherings prohibited.

(1) An underage gathering constitutes a public nuisance, and is prohibited.

(2) As a public nuisance, any underage gathering may be abated by any legal means. (Ord. O2015-385 § 1)

8.20.030 Exemptions.

This chapter shall not apply to:

(1) Any location regulated by a permit or license issued by the Washington State Liquor Control Board;

(2) Underage gatherings where underage persons consuming alcoholic beverages are supervised in person by their parent or guardian while any such underage persons are consuming alcoholic beverages or while any such underage persons are exhibiting the effects of consuming alcoholic beverages;

(3) Alcoholic beverages given for medicinal purposes to an underage person by a parent, guardian, physician, or dentist; or

(4) Alcoholic beverages given to an underage person when used in connection with religious services. (Ord. O2015-385 § 1)

8.20.040 Civil penalty.

In addition to public nuisance abatement, the first violation of this chapter by any responsible person shall constitute a civil infraction subject to a fine of $500.00 for each day that any violation occurs. The second and each succeeding violation of this chapter by any responsible person within the five-year period beginning from the date of the first such violation shall constitute a civil violation subject to a fine of $1,000 for each day that any violation occurs. (Ord. O2015-385 § 1)