LOCAL ORDINANCES

Parking Lot Lighting

Why improve lighting of parking lots?

• Underage youth often obtain alcohol by asking someone who is over the age of 21 to buy it for them. These transactions often take place in the parking lots of businesses that sell alcoholic beverages.
• A well-lit parking lot makes it easier for employees in alcohol establishments and for patrolling police officers to see and prevent such transactions.

SUMMARY: PARKING LOT LIGHTING ORDINANCE
This ordinance requires a minimum intensity of illumination of parking areas of all alcohol establishments with off-sale licenses.

This ordinance is based on a California ordinance proposed by Fried Wittman.

Proposed Ordinance

PARKING LOT LIGHTING

Section 1. Requirements.
Exterior lighting of the parking area of all facilities licensed under Minnesota Statute section 340A.405 and [ insert citation to municipal off-sale liquor licensing ordinances ] shall be maintained at an intensity of between one (1) and two (2) foot-candles, so as to provide adequate lighting for supervising the parking area to prevent illegal activities.

Section 2. Penalties.
The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100).

If the violation has not been remedied within three (3) months , there shall be an additional fine of 125% of the original fine.

This ordinance shall take effect within thirty (30) days.