HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2512-5780CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
7.Adopt a Resolution to Allow Consumption of Alcohol under PAMC section 9.04.010 on
Certain Days and Times through May 31, 2026, on California Avenue.
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: January 20, 2026
Report #:2512-5780
TITLE
Adopt a Resolution to Allow Consumption of Alcohol under PAMC section 9.04.010 on Certain
Days and Times through May 31, 2026, on California Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt a Resolution to Allow Consumption of Alcohol
under PAMC section 9.04.010 on California Avenue from El Camino Real to Birch Street through
May 31, 2026.
BACKGROUND
The Resolution was initially approved as a pilot to operate during 3rdThursdays only, from
June 2024 through December 2024, within the car-free portion of California Avenue
between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The City Council approved the Resolution via consent
calendar on June 17, 20241. After the Resolution expired, it was reintroduced and approved
by the City Council on the consent calendar at the June 17, 2025, meeting2, under similar
conditions, with a new sunset date of December 31, 2025. Stakeholders have indicated
support for continuing the program, and staff has conducted outreach to extend it through
the 2026 Super Bowl and future California Avenue activations.
ANALYSIS
Staff has identified a path forward to support California Avenue Merchants for the Super
Bowl schedule for February 8, 2026, while an Entertainment Zone Ordinance is worked
through for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
A Resolution to allow open containers during the Superbowl and California Avenue
Activations on the car-free street portion of California Avenue from El Camino Real to Birch
Street is incorporated under Attachment A for the City Council’s consideration. The
1 June 17, 2024 Meeting Staff Report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=7b643945-3828-4941-8858-ff95939f6fb3
2 June 17, 2025 Meeting Staff Report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=9f372ac5-64eb-401e-9b78-429af7f3e632
Resolution goes into effect immediately, and would only allow open containers Wednesday
to Sunday, only from 5 PM – 10 PM, and only on the car-free street portion of California
Avenue from El Camino Real to Birch Street. The Resolution authorizes the City Manager to
further limit the days and times to protect public safety, health, and welfare. The Resolution
will sunset on May 31, 2026. It is anticipated that the City Council would consider approval
of an Entertainment Zone Ordinance on California Avenue, which would be in effect prior to
the 2026 FIFA World Cup games.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED BY:
NOT YET APPROVED Attachment A
151_20260107_ts24 1
Resolution No. _____
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto to Authorize
Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages under PAMC § 9.04.010
on Specific Days and Times on California Avenue in 2026
R E C I T A L S
A. Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) section 9.04.010 makes it unlawful to consume any
alcoholic beverage upon any street, sidewalk, highway or alley except as may be
authorized by the City Council.
B. Through this Resolution, the City Council desires to authorize such consumption for
specific, temporary days and times on the section of California Avenue closed to vehicular
traffic as detailed in this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby authorizes the consumption of alcoholic beverages
under PAMC section 9.04.010 upon the section of California Avenue between El Camino Real and
Birch Street that is closed to traffic (the ‘designated area’) as follows:
1. Between the hours of 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Wednesday to Sunday from the date of
adoption of this Resolution through May 31, 2026, subject to further limits as specified
in Section 2 of this Resolution.
SECTION 2. This authorization is subject to any conditions, regulations, or limits imposed
by the City through its City Manager, any City Department, or any relevant law, permit, or
condition. The City Manager may promulgate regulations of such consumption in order to ensure
public safety, health, and welfare, including but not limited to regulations regarding staffing,
security and law enforcement requirements, refuse/trash/recycling, and bathrooms. The City
Manager is authorized to further limit the designated area, days, and time duration than that
allowed in Section 1 to ensure public safety, health, and welfare. The City Manager is also
authorized to suspend this Resolution and reinstate the enforcement of PAMC section 9.04.010
to ensure public safety, health, and welfare.
SECTION 3. This Resolution’s authority is limited to that which is granted under PAMC
section 9.04.010. It does not authorize any event generally, nor does it grant or waive any other
generally applicable requirements under law, regulation, license, or permit condition. It does not
curtail or supersede any other applicable law, regulation, permit, license, or condition. It does
not limit the ability of the City to issue or enforce any permit conditions that limit or forbid alcohol
sales or consumption in or adjacent to the designated area under other laws or regulations. It
does not create any right or vested interest in any person or business to sell alcoholic beverages.
It does not prevent law enforcement from enforcing any provision of state law or the Palo Alto
Municipal Code besides PAMC section 9.04.010 during the dates and times specified above. This
Resolution shall not be interpreted to conflict with any state law, regulation, license, or permit
NOT YET APPROVED Attachment A
151_20260107_ts24 2
condition imposed by the State of California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control or City-
issued Conditional Use Permit.
SECTION 4. Environmental Review. The Council finds that this Resolution is categorically
exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities); 15304(e) (minor temporary
use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment); 15305 (minor
alterations in land use limitations); and 15323 (normal operations of facilities for public
gatherings).
SECTION 5. Effective Date and Sunset. This Resolution shall be effective immediately
upon adoption and shall automatically sunset on May 31, 2026.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ _____________________________
Assistant City Attorney City Manager