Those who sell and serve alcohol strongly influence drinking culture and related harm. The skills and commitment to reduce service to underage and intoxicated guests are as important for parties in private settings as they are for commercial stores, bars and restaurants. This point is reinforced by Responsible Beverage Service Training and Social Host Ordinances recently adopted in Berkeley.

Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Ordinance

Effective March 15, 2007 Responsible Beverage Service Training was added to the Berkeley Municipal Code. This section requires Alcohol Licensees, Managersand Servers to complete RBS training within 90 days of beginning such activities or within 90 days of the effective date (180 days for Servers), and every other year thereafter. RBS Training must be provided by trainers certified by the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control. A Licensee, Manager or Server who does not comply with this requirement may not sell or serve any Alcoholic Beverage until he or she has completed RBS training. The intention of the RBS Ordinance is to help alcohol licensees identify and execute good business practices, which will reduce the sale of alcohol to minors and intoxicated persons.

To see the adopted version of the ordinance, please click here.

RBS Training provides information on the following: acceptable forms of identification, the best way to check identification, how to refuse service, signs and prevention of illicit drug activity, facts about ABC liability, and an update on California alcohol laws.

For information about or to schedule a commercial RBS training, contact:
City of Berkeley Police - Officer Steve Burcham 510-981-5778
California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control - Carol Nolan 916-263-4216

Social Host Ordinance

The Social Host Ordinance (SHO) holds party hosts responsible for underage drinking occurring on their property. The intention is to make party hosts aware of the laws prohibiting furnishing alcohol to underage or intoxicated persons and to self-regulate their parties effectively. SHO fines start immediately at the first violation, and they increase with subsequent violations.

Party hosts shall be deemed to have knowledge that underage drinking is occurring if the host has not taken all reasonable steps to prevent it from happening:

• Controlling access and quantity of alcohol
• Verifying age of guests to ensure minors do not consumer alcohol
• Monitoring activities and conduct of guests.

To see the adopted version of the ordinance, please click here.