The Alcohol Related Nuisance Ordinance (ARN) is a community enhancing, business-friendly policy that creates a shared responsibility between merchants, community members and the city for preventing alcohol outlet-related problems. The ARN creates a level playing field where all alcohol outlets are held to the same standards of operation for maintaining safe and well managed establishments. Petaluma has a higher concentration of alcohol outlets per resident population than the statewide average (one outlet for every 279 residents compared with one outlet for every 558 residents statewide). Studies show that communities with a higher density of alcohol outlets experience higher rates of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related traffic crashes, assaults, homicides, and other crimes than their neighbors.
The Alcohol Related Nuisance Ordinance offers a local policy tool designed to prevent and reduce public health and safety problems created in and around alcohol outlets including off-sale (liquor stores, markets, drug stores, etc.) and on-sale (bars, restaurants, clubs).

Standards of operation for new and existing outlets

The nuisance abatement standards of operation protect the health and safety of the local community and prevent outlet-related problems, including disturbance of the peace, sales of alcohol to minors, public drinking and inebriation, and property destruction. The standards are designed to ensure that operating characteristics of alcohol establishments are compatible with nearby businesses and residences.

Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training

A requirement that all alcohol outlet employees will participate in a state certified program. RBS programs reduce alcohol outlet-related problems when properly implemented.
Alcohol outlet-related problems in Petaluma are real. According to the Petaluma Police, in the downtown area alone there were conservatively 781 police calls for service, reports, and arrests for alcohol-related problems, including, but not limited to, drunk in public, fights, DUI, and property damage during the period of January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2006. In addition, recent surveys conducted by the Sonoma County Drinking Driver Program to determine where clients had been drinking prior to being arrested indicate more than 70% of those who responded said that their place of last drink was at a bar or restaurant in downtown Petaluma. Issues of alcohol availability also pertain to youth. Results from the California Healthy Kids Survey indicate that off-sale outlets are problematic as well. Students report that among 11th graders who drink, 23% of them buy alcohol at a store.

• According to Petaluma Police Chief Steve Hood, The Alcohol Related Nuisance Ordinance (ARN) will provide a valuable new tool to reduce the occurrence of alcohol-related problems in Petaluma.

• Terry Velasco, co-owner of Velasco’s Restaurant in downtown Petaluma also supports the ordinance, My understanding is that this type of ordinance is working to reduce problems in other communities. If it is working elsewhere, we should do it here. There are enough alcohol-related problems in the downtown to warrant this approach.

The Alcohol Related Nuisance Ordinance was passed unanimously by the City Council on October 15, 2007. It will go in to effect November 15th, 2007. Jim Hughes, the Petaluma Alcohol Enforcement Officer reported that since passage of the Ordinance, there has been a strong and positive response from the merchant community. For example, the Responsible Beverage Service Training offered in October was filled to capacity with 60 participants in contrast to previous sessions where the average attendance from Petaluma merchants averaged between 4 and 8.