Alcohol laws of Utah

Last updated

Location of Utah Map of USA UT.svg
Location of Utah

The alcohol laws of Utah regulate the selling and purchasing of alcohol in the U.S. state of Utah and are some of the most restrictive in the United States. [1] A person must be 21 years old or older to buy or consume alcohol. [2] The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition. [3] Utah is one of seventeen control states, meaning the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and/or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages. [4]

Contents

Current Utah law sets a limit of 4.0 percent alcohol by weight (5% ABV) in beer sold at grocery and convenience stores and at establishments operating under a "beer only" type license, such as taverns, beer bars and some restaurants. [5] Beer over 4.0 percent by weight (5% ABV) is available in State Liquor Stores and Package Agencies and at clubs and restaurants licensed to sell liquor. [2] [5]

In commercial facilities, the time at which alcohol may be served is limited, and alcohol may not be sold any later than 1:00 a.m. under any circumstance. [2]

Background

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which 55% of Utah residents belong, [6] advises against the consumption of alcohol for its members [7] in the Word of Wisdom given in the Doctrine and Covenants. [8] Because of this traditional LDS teaching and the large population of Latter-day Saints in Utah, the alcohol laws of Utah have generally been strict. [5] However, several attempts to make Utah a dry state also failed, and due to a need to address violence caused by bootlegging, on December 5, 1933, the 21 members of the Utah delegation to the constitutional convention unanimously cast the 36th deciding state vote to repeal the Eighteenth Amendment and ratify the Twenty-first Amendment, thus repealing national alcohol prohibition. [9]

Since 1935, Utah's liquor industry (all except 4.0% beer) has been controlled through state-run liquor store outlets. [10]

Zion curtains

Zion curtains was a nickname (adapted from Iron Curtain) for partitions unique to Utah restaurants that separate restaurant bartenders preparing alcoholic drinks from the customers who order them. [11] The partitions are mandated for restaurants with "Limited-Service Restaurant Licenses" and "Full-Service Restaurant Licenses". [11] [12] These partitions are often made of frosted glass since they are required to be "solid, translucent, [and] permanent". [11] They were mandated in hopes of combating excessive drinking by keeping alcohol out of sight of restaurant patrons who choose not to consume alcohol. [13] In the spring 2017 legislative session, the Zion Curtain laws were reformed. [14]

Zion Curtain reform

Legislation enacted in 2010 restored the barriers as part of a broader compromise on alcohol reform; in 2013, the Utah legislature considered legislation removing the barriers permanently from all establishments, [13] although the legislation ultimately did not pass. [15]

Abolishing the Zion curtains was an often proposed and contentious issue affecting Utah politics for years. Many restaurants feel it introduces one more hardship in a state with too many alcohol restrictions, while others feel like it is a much-needed instrument to protect children and teens from exposure to alcohol consumption. A new bill, HB 339, was introduced that would allow restaurant owners to abolish their Zion curtain provided the owners established a separate bar area that would not be accessible to anyone under the age of 21. [16]

Lawmakers insist that a wall or partition obscuring any alcoholic beverages from view helps to shield children and teens from the glamorization of alcohol. Jim Fell, a research scientist with the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, points out that "... no research has been conducted to establish whether there is any actual benefit to this law's implementation. Exposure to alcohol does have an effect on teen drinking, but I worry that the multimedia, including alcohol advertising, would overwhelm any effects that the Utah law might have," said Fell. "It's important to evaluate this — but it would have to be done by an independent, objective researcher, not someone who is an advocate or who opposes the law." [17]

In 2017, another bill, HB 442, was passed that took down the requirement of the Zion Curtain in restaurants, but initially replaced it with a rule that created a minimum 10-foot distance from the location where the alcoholic drinks were prepared and tables where people under the age of 21 could be seated. [14] It also required signage on restaurants and bars that clearly stated at the entrance that "This premise is licensed as a restaurant, not a bar" or vice versa. [18] As part of the changes included in HB 442, it removed the "Dining Club license" that allowed restaurants with the license to serve alcohol without the "intent to dine" clause used in the standard restaurant liquor license, with existing dining club licensees required to choose to be either a restaurant or a bar by July 1, 2018. [19] However, there was push back from restaurant owners for the odd signs they had to use stating they were not a bar, owners in small facilities where there is not enough space in the establishment to meet the 10-foot requirement, and existing dining club establishments that would need to remodel their business practices to be either a bar (where no one under 21 is allowed) or the sales restrictions of a restaurant (where patrons must have "intent to dine" and all sales come from less than 30% alcohol sales). [20] In March 2018, legislature revamped the bill again removing the requirement for restaurants to use the "not a bar" signs. [18]

2002 Winter Olympic Games

During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (UDABC) relaxed enforcement of Utah's alcohol laws. This led to the passing of less restrictive laws effected in May 2003. [21] This came after complaints, particularly after an incident in which an International Olympic Committee official complained. [22]

2009 efforts for reform

Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. (in office 2005–2009), a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a proponent for less restrictive alcohol laws during his time in office. He believed reform would be favorable to the state's tourism industry. [23] [24] He signed legislation allowing existing restaurants to remove the partitions, although future restaurants would be required to prepare alcoholic drinks outside of their patron's immediate view. [25] Effective in June 2009, bars and clubs were no longer required to charge a cover, or a membership fee, making liquor more accessible to tourists and locals. [26]

Even though homebrewing of beer and wine had been popular for many years in Utah, with multiple retail and even wholesale outlets for purchasing supplies, and ingredients, there was no law forbidding it or allowing it on the books. In March 2009, homebrewing for the citizens of the state was formally made legal. [27]

Current Utah laws

Utah laws restrict supermarkets operating within the state to only sell packaged beer up to 5.0% ABV (or 4.0% alcohol by weight); beer containing alcohol greater than this amount (as well as liquor and wine) can only be sold at state-controlled liquor stores. [28] On November 1, 2019, the law increased the permitted ABV in beers to 5.0% (or 4.0% alcohol by weight) after passing Utah SB 132 in March 2019. [29] The bill initially proposed a 4.8% ABV, but received push back from local breweries as the arbitrary limit seemed to favor the major national brands. [30]

Bars, clubs, taverns, and other establishments selling in-house or "on premise" alcohol (excluding restaurants) are allowed to sell alcohol from 10:00am – 1:00am. [31] [32] Locations defined as a restaurant under Utah law require that any alcohol be ordered along with food (though they do not have to be ordered at the same time), [33] and can sell alcohol from 11:30am – 1:00am. [28] Restaurant liquor licenses also require the establishment to have less than 30% of all sales be alcohol. [20]

On March 8, 2013, the Utah legislature passed a law allowing restaurant patrons to order alcohol before ordering food after a controversial series of citations was issued to several restaurants. [33]

Drunk driving

In 1983, Utah was the first state to lower its statewide blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for operating a vehicle to 0.08% from the standard 0.10%. On December 30, 2018, Utah became the first state to further lower its limit to 0.05% BAC. [34]

Public opinion

A 2014 poll through UtahPolicy.com found 62 percent of Utahns were in favor of removing the requirement that new restaurants install Zion curtains to hide the preparation of alcoholic beverages from consumers. Thirty-one percent opposed such a change. [35]

Economic impact

Utah is growing at a moderate growth rate and has unemployment below 4%, with fairly large gains in the tech industry. Many new companies have located in Utah due to their friendly business practices. According to the Governor's Economic report, liquor sales have risen 7.9% in 2014, "as consumption, demographic patterns, and economic factors combined to push sales up". [36] "Travel research firm TNS Global, reported total Utah person trips during the first six months of 2014 had increased an estimated 12 percent from 2013, with an 18 percent increase in nonresident visitors. Similarly, during the first three quarters of 2014, total visits to Utah's five national parks and places had increased 10 percent from the previous year."

Business and tourism

No cost analysis research has been done by the state of Utah to determine if Utah's liquor laws have affected Utah's business, economic growth, or tourism industry. Businesses who have chosen to expand or relocate their businesses in other states appear to be mostly alcohol related.

Grocery stores

Trader Joe's, which began in California as a convenience store that started selling wine, did not open its first store in Utah until 2012. The store's founder, Joe Coulombe, said, "We built Trader Joe's on wine first, then food." A cornerstone of their store's sales are beer, wine, and in some cases liquor. Due to Utah's stringent liquor laws, alcoholic beverages initially were not stocked in the Salt Lake City store. Some theorize that Utah's strict liquor laws, and the inevitable impact on the store's margin, was responsible for Trader Joe's late entry into the Salt Lake City market. [37]

Conventions

Scott Beck, president and CEO of Visit Salt Lake, says perception is the problem Utah has in attracting tourism, specifically conventions. His company tracks business that is lost, and Beck says it is a considerable amount of lost revenue. Scott says "We are told there are not enough restaurants and nightlife to keep the visitors occupied outside of the convention, because they can't get a drink. We call it nightlife, but we're not talking about nightlife in terms of strip clubs and gaming; we're talking about nightlife like Gracie's or nightlife like The Bayou—places where visitors can network or socialize with their friends and peers. But our liquor laws create a sense, and in some cases a reality, that you can't do that in Utah. And we lose hundreds of millions of dollars a year in delegate spending because of that perception."

Bruce Fery, CEO of The Grand America Hotel and Resorts and also a proponent of alcohol "normalization" in Utah, said, "From a guest service perspective, Utah's liquor laws are really awkward and make us look like we are still in covered wagons. Utah's liquor laws make us appear to be inhospitable." He also cites many instances where out-of-towners were befuddled, put off, or downright angry at the policies that are in place to keep in accordance of the law. [38]

Restaurants

Unlike grocery stores, restaurants are able to apply for a license to sell and serve liquor, wine, flavored malt beverages, and heavy beer (over 4.0%). Limited restaurant licenses may not sell flavored malt beverages or distilled spirits. And while the restaurant may be able to obtain a liquor license, they are restricted to how and when they are able to serve alcohol. One such restriction is the "intent to dine" law; customers must have the intent to dine in order to be served an alcoholic beverage. Restaurants are only able to serve liquor from 11AM-midnight or 1AM, depending on the license, and many times the amount per glass is restricted. [39] This creates problems with customers from out of town. Co-owner of Fratelli Ristorante, Dave Cannell, said, "People from out of state ask for a 'real' glass of wine and I can't give them one … I can only give them 5oz per glass".

Chain restaurants

Casual restaurants like Chili's and Applebee's have had to spend extra money on reconfiguring their restaurants' layouts in order to accommodate the laws and hide alcohol from view. Ruth's Chris, which has a large contingent of out-of-town businesspeople who are used to ordering alcoholic drinks after work, have to inform their patrons of laws requiring that no more than 1.5 oz. of alcohol be poured into any drink and that an order of a food item is also required. Out-of-state restaurants that rely heavily on brunch revenue would suffer due to the ban on bloody marys and mimosas before 12 p.m.

Many chains fear they would face unfair competition and costs when going head-to-head with restaurants that are grandfathered in and not required to have the zion curtain installed. Restaurants that did not have zion curtains before May 12, 2009, are not required to build them, giving owners with those licenses a "grandfathered" bar structure. Any modification to the existing structure would result in the loss of the grandfathering. Hersh Ipaktchian, founder of Iggy's Sports Grill, says that factoring in costs to change floor plans would make it difficult and more expensive for him to expand. He indicated that he is looking for options to expand outside of the state of Utah. The Porcupine Pub and Grille also reported intent to expand outside of the state due to Utah's stringent and precarious liquor laws.

Breweries

Epic brewery chose to expand in Colorado with a $2 to $3 million dollar facility instead of Utah due to Utah's constantly changing liquor laws. "Who knows ... what things they'll dream up next to punish an industry that pays millions of millions of taxes in this state," David Cole said. While he predicts state laws will eventually change, "It's going to change a lot slower than we are as a company." [40]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low-alcohol beer</span> Type of beverage

Low-alcohol beer is beer with little or no alcohol by volume that aims to reproduce the taste of beer while eliminating or reducing the inebriating effect, carbohydrates, and calories of regular alcoholic brews. Low-alcohol beers can come in different beer styles such as lagers, stouts, and ales. Low-alcohol beer is also known as light beer, non-alcoholic beer, small beer, small ale, or near-beer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liquor store</span> Retail shop that sells alcohol

A liquor store is a retail business that predominantly sells prepackaged alcoholic beverages, including liquors, wine or beer, usually intended to be consumed off the store's premises. Depending on region and local idiom, they may also be called an off-licence, off-sale, bottle shop, bottle store or, colloquially, bottle-o, liquor store or other similar terms. A very limited number of jurisdictions have an alcohol monopoly. In US states that are alcoholic beverage control (ABC) states, the term ABC store may be used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcoholic beverage control state</span> States in the United States that have a monopoly over alcohol

Alcoholic beverage control states, generally called control states, less often ABC states, are 17 states in the United States that have state monopoly over the wholesaling or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits.

An alcohol-free or non-alcoholic drink, also known as a temperance drink, is a version of an alcoholic drink made without alcohol, or with the alcohol removed or reduced to almost zero. These may take the form of a non-alcoholic mixed drink or non-alcoholic beer, and are widely available where alcoholic drinks are sold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liquor license</span> Governmentally issued permit to sell, manufacture, store, or otherwise use alcoholic beverages

A liquor license is a governmentally issued permit for businesses to sell, manufacture, store, or otherwise use alcoholic beverages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol laws of Oklahoma</span>

Oklahoma allows any establishment with a beer and wine license to sell beer and wine up to 15% ABV, under refrigeration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol laws of Kansas</span>

The alcohol laws of Kansas are among the strictest in the United States, in sharp contrast to its neighboring state of Missouri, and similar to its other neighboring state of Oklahoma. Legislation is enforced by the Kansas Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol laws of New York</span> Laws concerning alcohol in the State of New York

Alcohol laws of New York are a set of laws specific to manufacturing, purchasing, serving, selling, and consuming alcohol in the state of New York. Combined with federal and local laws, as well as vendor policies, alcohol laws of New York determine the state's legal drinking age, the driving under the influence limit, liquor license requirements, server training, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol laws of Pennsylvania</span> Laws about the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania

The alcohol laws of Pennsylvania contain many peculiarities not found in other states, and are considered some of the strictest regulations in the United States.

Alcohol laws of West Virginia are more complex on paper than in actual practice, owing to a provision of the state constitution and "work-arounds" of its terms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcoholic beverage</span> Drink with a substantial ethanol content

An alcoholic beverage is a beverage containing alcohol (ethanol). Alcoholic drinks are typically divided into three classes—beers, wines, and spirits—and typically their alcohol content is between 3% and 50%.

Alcohol laws of Maryland vary considerably by county, due to the wide latitude of home rule granted to Maryland counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcoholic beverages in Oregon</span>

The U.S. state of Oregon has an extensive history of laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, dating back to 1844. It has been an alcoholic beverage control state, with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission holding a monopoly over the sale of all distilled beverages, since Prohibition. Today, there are thriving industries producing beer, wine, and liquor in the state. Alcohol may be purchased between 7 a.m. and 2:30 a.m for consumption at the premise it was sold at, or between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. if it is bought and taken off premise. In 2020, Oregon began allowing the sale of alcohol via home delivery services. As of 2007, consumption of spirits was on the rise while beer consumption held steady. That same year, 11% of beer sold in Oregon was brewed in-state, the highest figure in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol laws of New Jersey</span>

The state laws governing alcoholic beverages in New Jersey are among the most complex in the United States, with many peculiarities not found in other states' laws. They provide for 29 distinct liquor licenses granted to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and for the public warehousing and transport of alcoholic drinks. General authority for the statutory and regulatory control of alcoholic drinks rests with the state government, particularly the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control overseen by the state's Attorney General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol law</span> Law pertaining to alcoholic beverages

Alcohol laws are laws relating to manufacture, use, being under the influence of and sale of alcohol or alcoholic beverages. Common alcoholic beverages include beer, wine, (hard) cider, and distilled spirits. Definition of alcoholic beverage varies internationally, e.g., the United States defines an alcoholic beverage as "any beverage in liquid form which contains not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume". Alcohol laws can restrict those who can produce alcohol, those who can buy it, when one can buy it, labelling and advertising, the types of alcoholic beverage that can be sold, where one can consume it, what activities are prohibited while intoxicated, and where one can buy it. In some cases, laws have even prohibited the use and sale of alcohol entirely.

The alcohol laws of Wisconsin consist of both statewide statutes and local ordinances governing the sale of alcohol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol laws of Massachusetts</span>

The serving of alcohol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is governed by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), which is responsible for issuing licenses and permits for all manufacturers, wholesalers and importers, out-of-state suppliers, brokers, salespeople, warehouses, planes, trains, ships, ship chandlers and vehicles transporting alcoholic beverages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol laws of Texas</span>

A person must be at least 15-17 years of age to publicly drink an alcoholic beverage in Texas, with some exceptions.

References

  1. Hampson, Rick (September 21, 2011). "Stiff penalites for stiff drinks: Utah tightens liquor laws". USA Today . Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Liquor Laws Affecting Residents and Visitors Archived February 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine . Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services. Accessed February 2, 2009.
  3. About DABC Archived February 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine . Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Accessed February 2, 2009.
  4. Lythgoe, Dennis (March 21–22, 1991). "Confused about Utah's liquor laws? Here's a timely explanation". Deseret News . Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 Chang, Vanessa (January 25, 2009). "Brew Pubs Gain an Unlikely Following in Utah". The New York Times . Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  6. "Records: Percentage of Mormons in Utah declines". AZ Central. Associated Press. November 20, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  7. Hinckley, Gordon B. "The Body Is Sacred". New Era (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), November 2006, pp. 2–5. Accessed February 10, 2009.
  8. "The Doctrine and Covenants: Section 89".
  9. "UTAH'S 1933 CONVENTION SEALED PROHIBITION'S DOOM". Deseretnews.com. June 20, 1995. Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  10. "Utah Liquor Laws - A Brief History". Cityhomecollective.com. December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 "Alcoholic Beverage Control Act". le.utah.gov. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  12. "Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, Specific Retail License Act, Limited-Service Restaurant License". le.utah.gov. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  13. 1 2 House, Dawn (February 27, 2013). "Bill could tear down Zion curtains at restaurants". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  14. 1 2 "Bill that amends Utah's laws on alcohol beverage service, sale passes House committee". Ksl.com. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  15. Hesterman, Billy (March 13, 2013). "Zion Curtain stays, master liquor license created under new bill". Daily Herald . Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  16. Davidson, Lee. "Bill again seeks to tear down Utah liquor laws, Zion curtain". Salt lake Tribune. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  17. House, Dawn. "No research exists on effectiveness of Utah's Zion curtain". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Utah restaurants could take down signs; the Salt Lake Airport could get more bars; and Utah Jazz fans could carry a beer from VIP areas into the arena, under liquor "clean-up" bill". Salt Lake Tribune . February 26, 2018.
  19. "State forces Utah's dining clubs to choose identity: Bar or restaurant". Standard-Examiner . April 28, 2018.
  20. 1 2 "From The Zion Curtain To The Zion Moat: New Alcohol Laws Take Effect July 1". KPCW . June 26, 2018.
  21. Kerig, Bill (October 29, 2003). "What's up with Utah's liquor laws?". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  22. "Olympics Dry As A Bone". CBS News. June 25, 1999. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  23. Bernick Jr., Bob; Lisa Riley Roche (February 1, 2009). "Hughes charging into the fray for Huntsman liquor bill". Deseret News. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  24. Pyrah, Joe (January 25, 2009). "Taxes, liquor laws on the docket for 2009 Legislature". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 10, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  25. "Utah Lowers the 'Zion Curtain'". The Food Channel. May 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  26. Malouf, Mary Brown (January 1, 2018). "Buzzed in the Beehive: A Brief History of Drinking in Utah". Salt Lake Magazine. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  27. "Utah legalizes homebrewing". Wikinews. March 29, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  28. 1 2 Parsons, TJ. "State Liquor Laws - Terminology, Availability, and Tips". visitsaltlake.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  29. "Utah's governor signs bill to dump 3.2 beer for a slightly heavier brew". KSTU . March 26, 2019.
  30. "Utah brewers opposed to bill to raise alcohol limits upset at its failure". Park Record. March 8, 2019.
  31. Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. "Licensee Handbook Restaurant-Full service" (PDF). ABC Utah. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  32. "Utah Dept of Alcoholic Beverage Control". abc.utah.gov. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  33. 1 2 Utah diners may sip alcohol before ordering food. Davidson, Lee. Salt Lake Tribune . 8 Mar 2013.
  34. "Utah First In The Nation To Lower Its DUI Limit To .05 Percent". National Public Radio . December 26, 2018.
  35. Schott, Brian (November 10, 2014). "Exclusive Poll: 62% of Utahns Want to Get Rid of the 'Zion Curtain'". UtahPolicy.com. UtahWebStuff.com. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  36. PREPARED BY THE UTAH ECONOMIC COUNCIL. "Economic Report to the Governor" (PDF). UTAH ECONOMIC COUNCIL. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 12, 2015.
  37. Horiuchi, Vince. "Trader Joe's grocery to open in Utah; no Two Buck Chuck". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  38. Webb, Gaylen. "Utah's Alcohol Problem Do the State's Byzantine Laws Stifle Economic Development?". Utah Business. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  39. "Liquor Laws Affecting Residents & Visitors". Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  40. Heather, May. "Utah politics lead to 'unsacred' act by local brewer Epic". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 15, 2015.