Beer Gardens
If your event is open to the public or is a private event in a venue location where alcohol consumption is prohibited except with a special event permit, the City of Temecula prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the event venue outside of a controlled space, commonly referred to as a “beer garden”.
A beer garden is required to separate guests of a legal drinking age from those who are not. All beer gardens must be constructed with material or in a manner that prevents beverages from being passed through to patrons outside the controlled space.
A beer garden can be constructed using several different methods including:
- One, six-foot (6’) free standing chain link fence, clear plastic sheeting, or other material that will easily allow the interior to be visible from the outside. Posters, banners, and other material shall not block more than 20% of the visibility.
- Two, four- foot (4’) free standing fences or other barriers placed six feet (6’) apart.
- Tent structures may be used for beer gardens when appropriate security measures are employed.
- All entrances and exits must be at least four feet wide and free of any obstructions.
- The Fire Marshal requires entrances and exits to be spaced apart from each other based on the following formula: - Corner to Corner Diagonal Distance ÷ 2 = Distance between Exits
Therefore, the exits must be placed at least 28 feet (28’) apart from each other.
- The Fire Marshal will establish a maximum occupancy for your beer garden based on the proposed square footage, usage and furnishings of the beer garden.
Pre-Calculated Beer Garden Examples
As part of your event plans, you must depict the size and configuration of any proposed beer gardens on your site plan or route map. Some events use more than one beer garden within their defined venue area. Large-scale or unique events may use non-standard sizes.
The following information is presented to help you develop your beer garden plans and is based on the standard sizes used at most events:
|
Beer Garden
Square Footage Dimensions Required Entrances / Exits with Furniture Required Entrances / Exits Without Furniture Maximum Occupancy Furniture* Maximum Occupancy Without furniture* Access to guests under 21 years old Private Security |
Small
600 20’w x 30’l 1—Distance between entrances at least 18’ 2—Distance between entrances at least 18’ 40 85 No Yes |
Medium
800 20’w x 40’l 2—Distance between entrances at least 22’ 2—Distance between entrances at least 22’ 53 114 No Yes |
Large
1,200 30’w x 30’l 2—Distance between entrances at least 25’ 2—Distance between entrances at least 25’ 80 171 No Yes |
Extra Large
1,600 40’w x 40’l 2—Distance between entrances at least 28’ 2—Distance between entrances at least 28’ 106 228 No Yes |
*Occupancy and entrance/exit requirements based on maximum beer garden size for each category using calculations established in the California Fire Code. Furniture refers to the use of belly bars, chairs/tables, and serving equipment. Use of larger furniture may reduce occupancy levels.