North Carolina General Statutes 18B-300. Purchase, possession and consumption of malt beverages and unfortified wine
(a) Generally. – Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, the purchase, consumption, and possession of malt beverages and unfortified wine by individuals 21 years old and older for their own use is permitted without restriction.
(a1) Consumption on Premises During Time of Permit Revocation or Suspension. – It shall be unlawful to consume or for a permittee or his agent or employee to allow the consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine on the premises of any business during the period of time that any on-premises permit issued to the business authorizing the sale and consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine has been suspended or revoked by the Commission. The prohibition in this subsection does not apply to the premises upon which the business was located at the time the permit was suspended or revoked if the business ceases to operate in that location and the owner of the property is not the permittee, provided that the permittee is not engaged in any other business or other activity on the premises during the period of suspension or revocation.
(b) Consumption at Off-Premises Establishment. – It shall be unlawful to consume, or for a permittee to allow the consumption of, malt beverages or unfortified wine on any premises having only an off-premises permit for the kind of alcoholic beverage being consumed.
(c) Local Ordinance. – A city or county may by ordinance:
(1) Regulate or prohibit the consumption of malt beverages and unfortified wine on the public streets in that city or county by persons who are not occupants of motor vehicles and on property owned, occupied, or controlled by that city or county;
Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 18B-300
- Alcoholic beverage: means any beverage containing at least one-half of one percent (0. See North Carolina General Statutes 18B-101
- Commission: means the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission established under N. See North Carolina General Statutes 18B-101
- permit: means a presently valid permit. See North Carolina General Statutes 18B-101
- Premises: means a fixed permanent establishment, including all areas inside or outside the licensed establishment, where the permittee has control through a lease, deed, or other legal process. See North Carolina General Statutes 18B-101
- property: shall include all property, both real and personal. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
- Sale: means any transfer, trade, exchange, or barter, in any manner or by any means, for consideration. See North Carolina General Statutes 18B-101
- seal: shall be construed to include an impression of such official seal, made upon the paper alone, as well as an impression made by means of a wafer or of wax affixed thereto. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
- Unfortified wine: means any wine or alcohol consumable containing sixteen percent (16%) or less alcohol by volume made by fermentation from grapes, fruits, berries, rice, or honey; or by the addition of pure cane, beet, or dextrose sugar; or by the addition of pure brandy from the same type of grape, fruit, berry, rice, or honey that is contained in the base wine and produced in accordance with the regulations of the United States. See North Carolina General Statutes 18B-101
(2) Regulate or prohibit the possession of open containers of malt beverages and unfortified wine on public streets in that city or county by persons who are not occupants of motor vehicles and on property owned, occupied, or controlled by that city or county; and
(3) Regulate or prohibit the possession of malt beverages and unfortified wine on public streets, alleys, or parking lots which are temporarily closed to regular traffic for special events.
For the purposes of this subsection, an open container means a container whose seal has been broken or a container other than the manufacturer’s unopened original container. As provided by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 18B-102(a), possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is unlawful except as authorized by the ABC law. (1939, c. 158, s. 503; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 1452, ss. 1-3; 1977, c. 176, ss. 2, 3; c. 693; 1979, c. 19, s. 2; c. 445, s. 4; c. 893, s. 11; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1983, c. 435, s. 32; 1985, c. 141, s. 1; 1995, c. 144, s. 1; c. 366, s. 2; 2001-79, s. 1; 2013-392, s. 1.)