City of Harrisonburg Alcohol Ordinances

Open Container and Drinking in Public Code 16.8.51

a.  If any person shall take a drink of alcoholic beverage or shall tender a drink thereof to another, whether accepted or not, at or in any public place, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

b.  It shall be unlawful for any person to possess an open or opened container, can, cup, glass or bottle containing an alcoholic beverage in any city park or playground or on any public street in the city.

City Ordinance Violations are enforced by both patrol and special enforcement officers of the Harrisonburg Police Department. Violations will receive enforcement action when they are observed, not only in response to complaints. This law does apply to sidewalks and parking lots open to the public. Persons who consume or are in possession of alcoholic beverages while sitting in vehicles are subject to this charge. To avoid being charged with this violation, all those participants at your event must stay on your property. Walking or driving from place to place with an open container of alcoholic beverages, including cups, is a violation of this law.

Drunk in Public: Code 16-7-33

If any person profanely curses or swears or be drunk in public, he shall be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor. Persons are arrested and taken to detoxify because of dangerous criminal behavior. The safety of the subject, safety of others, and protection of property are the main concerns regarding this code.