Purpose

Establish a framework for three Minnesota cities (Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes) to create and regulate “social districts” where adults can consume alcoholic beverages in designated areas within or near on-sale licensed premises. The bill allows consumption in the district but does not permit the sale or service of alcohol there by the licensees, and it includes rules to designate, manage, and enforce the district.

Main Provisions

• Subd.1 – Social district consumption allowed

  • A holder of an on-sale alcohol license whose premises is contiguous with the social district can obtain a social district license.
  • People may consume alcohol within the social district, but the licensee cannot sell or serve beverages inside the district itself.

• Subd.2 – Designation of social district

  • The cities must designate and describe the social district’s premises before issuing the license.
  • The district cannot include areas owned or controlled by someone who objects to extending the district.
  • The designation must specify the exact premises where consumption is allowed and the hours/days it applies.
  • The designation must be adopted by city ordinance.

• Subd.3 – Boundaries clearly defined

  • Boundaries must be clearly defined and marked with conspicuous signs.
  • Signs must include contact information for the local law enforcement agency and a statement that beverages purchased for consumption in the district must be consumed there and disposed of before exiting, unless the person reenters the licensed premises.

• Subd.4 – Management and maintenance

  • Cities must create and post management/maintenance plans, including a boundary rendering and hours, on their websites.
  • The district must be maintained to protect public health and safety.

• Subd.5 – Requirements for on-sale licensees

  • An on-sale licensee with a social district license can only sell/serve beverages on their own premises.
  • Customers cannot enter or reenter the licensee’s premises with a beverage not sold by that licensee.
  • Beverage containers for district consumption must:
  • Clearly identify the licensee and show a logo or mark unique to the social district.
  • Not be made of glass.
  • Display “Drink Responsibly Be 21.” in at least 12-point font.
  • Hold no more than 16 fluid ounces.

• Subd.6 – Additional social district requirements

  • Only alcoholic beverages purchased from an on-sale licensee located in or contiguous to the district may be possessed/consumed in the district.
  • Beverages must be in containers meeting the Subd.5 requirements.
  • Consumption is limited to the days/hours set by the cities.
  • Beverages must be disposed of before exiting the district unless reentering the same licensed premises.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creation of a new “social district license” mechanism allowing consumption inside a defined district without local sales or service of alcohol by the district licensee.
• Local control over district boundaries, hours, and enforcement, with explicit objector protections to keep areas out if property owners oppose the district.
• Mandatory signage, law enforcement contact, and disposal requirements to enhance public safety and clarity for patrons.
• Strict container rules (non-glass, capped at 16 oz, clearly identifying licensee and district logo) and a required reminder message (Drink Responsibly Be 21).
• Restrictions tying consumption to beverages purchased from licensed in-district or adjacent licensees, and prohibiting taking beverages from outside sources into the district.

Relevant Terms

• social district
• social district license
• on-sale licensee
• consumption
• contiguous
• designation / designate the premises
• hours and days
• signs / conspicuous signs
• local law enforcement
• dispose of / disposed
• reenter / reentering
• management and maintenance plans
• boundary / boundaries
• Drink Responsibly Be 21
• non-glass containers
• 16 fluid ounces
• objects to the extension / object to the district
• district logo / logo or mark
• districts within Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes