Title
Ordinance Amending Sacramento City Code Section 12.50 Relating to Entertainment Zones [Passed for Publication 09/01/2026; Published 09/04/2026]
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FileID
File ID: 2026-01256
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Adopt an Ordinance amending Sacramento City Code section 12.50 relating to Entertainment Zones.
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Contact
Contact: Tina Lee-Vogt, Nighttime Economy Manager, (916) 808-2679,
tlee-vogt@cityofsacramento.org, Economic Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: Tina Lee-Vogt, Nighttime Economy Manager, (916) 808-2679,
tlee-vogt@cityofsacramento.org, Economic Development Department
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Attachment A - Ordinance (Redline)
3-Attachment B - Ordinance (Clean)
4-Attachment C - Map of Proposed Zones
5-Attachment D - Map of Existing Zones
6-Attachment E - Entertainment Zone presentation
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: Sacramento has rich and vibrant nighttime, social and creative economies, and offers world-class amenities for everyone. Residents and visitors can experience diverse entertainment and unique programming both day and night that appeals to all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Throughout Sacramento, there are opportunities where people can go to play and socialize.
Special events play a pivotal role in the city's economy, culture, and identity, supporting jobs and generating revenue. They provide spaces for connection and creativity that bring people together to foster a sense of belonging and shared experiences. Annually, hundreds of special events including street markets, concerts, and festivals are presented throughout our city.
In 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 76. This bill defined “entertainment zones” as zones that may be created by local ordinance and authorized consumption of alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks, or public rights-of-way adjacent to and during special events. The law also made entertainment zones subject to certain requirements including a requirement to provide specified information about each entertainment zone to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). However, this law was limited to the City and County of San Francisco.
In 2024, the Governor signed Senate Bill 969, which defined an “entertainment zone” as a zone created by a city, county, or city and county ordinance and expanded the ability to authorize entertainment zones to jurisdictions throughout the state. This legislation addressed barriers that prohibited bars and restaurants from fully participating in economically benefiting from special events held adjacent to businesses. ABC requirements and guidelines for entertainment zone participation include identifying the types of licenses allowed to participate in entertainment zones and requiring licensees to annually notify ABC of their intent to participate in entertainment zones
Pursuant to SB 969, after the establishment of an entertainment zone, consumers may purchase open container beverages (alcoholic drinks to-go) from licensed bars, restaurants, breweries, and wineries and enjoy them outdoors in common spaces like plazas, sidewalks, and streets during certain hours. Days and hours of operation will only be permitted with an approved Special Event permit. The intent is to create engaging and impactful destinations that encourage local economic growth, while enhancing the experience for residents and visitors. Entertainment zones provide several benefits. They activate commercial corridors to attract people to an area, increase economic activity, and enhance a city’s reputation as a vibrant cultural hub. Additionally, they boost revenue for local businesses, including restaurants and bars, through events and activations that extend visitor stays.
On June 24, 2025, the city council adopted an ordinance adding Chapter 12.50 and establishing entertainment zones as authorized by SB 969. Three entertainment zones were adopted for initial inclusion in the ordinance. These zones were:
• The 20th and K Street Entertainment Zone: 20th & K streets;
• The Ali Youssefi Square Entertainment Zone: Ali Youssefi Square and adjacent area including K Street between 7th and 8th streets; and
• The Convention Center Entertainment Zone: Area surrounding the SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts Center.
On October 21, 2025, the city council amended Chapter 12.50, and two additional entertainment zones were adopted for inclusion in the ordinance. These zones were:
• 17th and R Street Entertainment Zone: 16th to 18th streets, Quill Alley to S Street.
• Handle District Entertainment Zone: 18th, 19th, Capitol and L streets.
Staff continue to work with stakeholders to identify additional entertainment zones for City Council consideration. Staff received requests to add entertainment zones in downtown, midtown, Broadway, and Oak Park areas. These new entertainment zones will expand opportunities beyond the central city. Benefits will include increased income for bars and restaurants; economic stimulus for neighboring businesses, and increased enjoyment of events by residents and visitors. The geographic boundaries are detailed in the attached ordinance (Attachments A and B) and map (Attachment C). The proposed zones are as follows:
• 9th and I Street Entertainment Zone: 9th to 10th Street, I to J Street.
• 14th and Broadway Entertainment Zone: 9th to 19th Street, X Street to Burnett Way
• 24th and Broadway Entertainment Zone: 20th to 28th Street, X Street to 1st Avenue
• 24th and K Street Entertainment Zone: 23rd to 25th Street, Jazz to Kayak Alley.
• Arena Entertainment Zone: 3rd to 7th Street, J to L Street.
• Oak Park Triangle Entertainment Zone: 34th to 36th Street, 2nd to 4th Avenue.
Each adopted entertainment zone has a specific management plan developed to regulate the operation of each zone with input from city agencies, participating businesses, and community stakeholders to ensure public safety. These plans are critical to the program and include several key components:
• Designate an “Entertainment Zone Lead” who acts as the point of contact and responsible party.
• Designate applicable area and hours of operations.
• Require Special Events permit issued in accordance with Sacramento City Code section 12.48 and, if necessary, section 12.16, including insurance requirements.
• Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages to the specific public areas approved in the associated Special Events permit.
• Require compliance with any additional permits or regulations to activate the zone including any additional insurance requirements.
• Require marking geographic boundaries of the Entertainment Zone activated area via signs, sidewalks decals or other city approved methods.
• Require submission of a security plan for police review and approval.
• Require age verification process to ensure anyone consuming alcohol is 21 years of age or older.
• Require that any calls for service or violent incidents be reported to police within 24 hours.
• Limit operators to only sell to go beverages in specific containers.
Additionally, failure to comply with the City Code, the special event permit conditions and/or the management plan may be considered as violations subject to administrative penalties.
The are several core metrics staff are utilizing to evaluate the success of Sacramento’s entertainment zone program. These metrics reflect the primary pillars of the ordinance. The following are the metrics that relate to the purpose and requirements for entertainment zones:
|
Category |
Key Indicators |
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Economic |
Attendance, sales tax revenue, business participation, visitor stay length |
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Safety |
Calls for service, incident rate, security plan compliance |
|
Operations |
Permit compliance, boundary marking, age verification, to-go container compliance |
|
Community |
Attendee satisfaction, business district feedback, participating business feedback, event cultural diversity |
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City Sustainability |
Staff workload, cost-benefit, inter-agency coordination |
ONE will collaborate with ESD, entertainment zone leads, participating businesses, and event organizers to evaluate events and develop a comprehensive annual report on the program. This report will highlight successes, identify opportunities and challenges, and determine if any policy or procedure changes are necessary. The following is a summary of entertainment zone events to date with preliminary feedback:
• Rainbow Festival (August 31, 2025): Sacramento’s first entertainment zone event was presented in the 20th and K Street Entertainment Zone. Organizers worked closely with Midtown Association, the designated Entertainment Zone lead, to produce a successful event with 3,000 attendees. The eight participating businesses reported an increase in sales as compared to the 2024 event.
• Terra Madre Americas (September 26 through September 28, 2025): Visit Sacramento presented the city’s second entertainment zone event that was held in the Convention Center Entertainment Zone. Over 165,000 people attended this free, first-of-its-kind celebration that featured food and drink tastings, live music, celebrity chef demonstrations, educational panels, and artisan vendors. Attendees purchased to-go beverages at the SAFE Credit Convention Center and a neighboring participating business.
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Fan Zone (March 27-28, 2026): Visit Sacramento presented an NCAA Fan Zone event for the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament hosted at the Golden 1 Center within the Ali Youseffi Square entertainment zone. With three participating businesses, over 2,000 visitors experienced this family friendly fan event.
• Concerts in the Park Launch Party (April 10, 2026): Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) hosted its Concerts in the Park Lineup Launch party within the Ali Youseffi Square entertainment zone. Nearly 2,000 visitors attended with three businesses participating. This party kicked the annual concert series which has been a highlight of the Sacramento summer season for over three decades.
• Campground (July 24 - October 3, 2026): Two businesses are partnering with DSP to host Campground within the Ali Youseffi Square entertainment zone. This event allows folks to enjoy food and to-go alcoholic beverages while playing outdoor summer games and is the first recurring activation. After the first weekend, business owners reported a 30% increase in visitors from prior weekends.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: City Council has affirmed that economic development is one of its highest priorities. Entertainment zones support the City’s commitment to the nighttime and social economy by enhancing commercial corridors and creating vibrant destinations for residents and visitors. Additionally, these zones are consistent with the findings and recommendations included in the Sacramento Sociable City Assessment to identify priorities to develop and implement a strategic plan for a safe, vibrant, and well managed social economy. Entertainment Zones also align with the findings and recommendations included in the Music Census and Regulatory Review, emphasizing a proactive approach to the growing entertainment scene.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: City Council has affirmed that economic development is one of its highest priorities. Entertainment zones support the City’s commitment to the nighttime and social economy by enhancing commercial corridors and creating vibrant destinations for residents and visitors. Additionally, these zones are consistent with the findings and recommendations included in the Sacramento Sociable City Assessment to identify priorities to develop and implement a strategic plan for a safe, vibrant, and well managed social economy. Entertainment Zones also align with the findings and recommendations included in the Music Census and Regulatory Review, emphasizing a proactive approach to the growing entertainment scene.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: This report does not involve activities that constitute a “project” as defined by Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Additionally, the creation of entertainment zones is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15301, subsection (c) of the CEQA guidelines, as it involves only the minor, temporary alteration of existing streets and sidewalks.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: None. Bypassing the Law and Legislation Committee pursuant to Council Rules of Procedure 13.B.I.b.ii.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Amending section 12.50.040 related to entertainment zones to add new entertainment zones that support the City’s commitment to the nighttime and creative economies. Establishing new entertainment zones is also consistent with the findings and recommendations included in the Sacramento Sociable City Assessment to identify priorities to develop and implement a strategic plan for a safe, vibrant, and well managed social economy. And they also align with the findings and recommendations included in the Music Census and Regulatory Review, emphasizing a proactive approach to the growing entertainment scene.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Managing entertainment zones has increased workload for City staff. However, Office of Nighttime Economy and Entertainment Services Division staff administer the program with existing resources. Sufficient funding is available in the Economic Development Department’s Approved FY2026/27 Operating Budget to manage entertainment zones.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise(LBE)
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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