OVERVIEW:

On July 8, 2003, the City of Poway expanded Poway Municipal Code section 8.09 pertaining to Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training.

The RBS Ordinance requires any manager or employee of a restaurant or bar within the City of Poway, that serves or sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, to attend an alcohol server training course.

Beginning January 1, 2004, the Poway Sheriff's Station will enforce the RBS Training Ordinance in the City of Poway for ALL on-sale establishments serving alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.

Under Chapter 8.09 of the Poway Municipal Code:

Managers or employees who work in an on-sale establishment and sell or serve alcoholic beverages must complete a Responsible Beverage Service training course.

"On-sale Establishment" - means a facility providing the sale and service of alcoholic beverages for consumption by guests on the premises (on-sale), including restaurant dining areas where food service is the primary function, and bars, in which the sale and consumption of alcohol on the premises is the primary function.

"Bar" - includes those facilities located within a hotel, motel, or other similar transient occupancy establishment.

"Responsible Beverage Service Training Course" - means a training program recognized by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for on-sale management and professional services. In the San Diego County area, RBS training is conducted by the Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) Division of the ABC.

REQUIREMENTS:

In order to serve or sell alcoholic beverages in Poway, a manager must be on the premises who has completed a Responsible Beverage Service training course.

Every manager or person, who serves or sells alcoholic beverages for consumption by guests on the premises of an on-sale establishment, must complete a Responsible Beverage Service training course within ninety (90) days of hire, or by December 31, 2003, whichever is later.

PROOF OF COMPLIANCE:

A list of all persons who have completed RBS training must be maintained on the premises of the on-sale establishment and together with the proof of such completion shall be provided to law enforcement officers or other officers for inspection upon request.

EFFECTIVE DATE

An on-sale establishment in existence on July 8, 2003, must comply with the provisions of this Chapter no later than December 31, 2003.

VIOLATIONS

A violation or a failure to comply with any mandatory requirement may be subject to prosecution in accordance with Chapter 1.08 of the Poway Municipal Code and may be enforced through injunctive relief.

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION

Violation of the provisions of this Chapter may result in a misdemeanor citation, punishable by a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

RBS TRAINING RESOURCES:

Approved RBS trainings are offered by the following organizations:

There is no cost for attending a LEAD training course.

For questions concerning this ordinance, please contact: