2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes Article 3 - Sale, Possession, and Consumption.

Article 3.

Sale, Possession, and Consumption.

§ 18B‑300.  Purchase, possession and consumption of malt beverages and unfortified wine.

(a)       Generally. – Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, the purchase, consumption, and possession of malt beverages and unfortified wine by individuals 21 years old and older for their own use is permitted without restriction.

(b)       Consumption at Off‑Premises Establishment. – It shall be unlawful to consume, or for a permittee to allow the consumption of, malt beverages or unfortified wine on any premises having only an off‑premises permit for the kind of alcoholic beverage being consumed.

(c)       Local Ordinance. – A city or county may by ordinance:

(1)       Regulate or prohibit the consumption of malt beverages and unfortified wine on the public streets in that city or county by persons who are not occupants of motor vehicles and on property owned, occupied, or controlled by that city or county;

(2)       Regulate or prohibit the possession of open containers of malt beverages and unfortified wine on public streets in that city or county by persons who are not occupants of motor vehicles and on property owned, occupied, or controlled by that city or county; and

(3)       Regulate or prohibit the possession of malt beverages and unfortified wine on public streets, alleys, or parking lots which are temporarily closed to regular traffic for special events.

For the purposes of this subsection, an open container means a container whose seal has been broken or a container other than the manufacturer's unopened original container. As provided by G.S. 18B‑102(a), possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is unlawful except as authorized by the ABC law. (1939, c. 158, s. 503; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 1452, ss. 1‑3; 1977, c. 176, ss. 2, 3; c. 693; 1979, c. 19, s. 2; c. 445, s. 4; c. 893, s. 11; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1983, c. 435, s. 32; 1985, c. 141, s. 1; 1995, c. 144, s. 1; c. 366, s. 2; 2001‑79, s. 1.)

 

§ 18B‑301.  Possession and consumption of fortified wine and spirituous liquor.

(a)       Possession at Home. – It shall be lawful, without an ABC permit, for any person at least 21 years old to possess for lawful purposes any amount of fortified wine and spirituous liquor at his home or a temporary residence, such as a hotel room.

(b)       Possession on Other Property. – It shall be lawful, without an ABC permit, for a person to possess for his personal use and the use of his guests not more than eight liters of fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or eight liters of the two combined, at the following places:

(1)       The residence of any other person with that person's consent;

(2)       Any other property not primarily used for commercial purposes and not open to the public at the time the alcoholic beverage is possessed, if the owner or other person in charge of the property consents to that possession and consumption;

(3)       An establishment with a brown‑bagging permit as defined in G.S. 18B‑1001(7).

(c)       Special Occasions. – It shall be lawful for a person to possess, without a permit and not for sale, any amount of fortified wine or spirituous liquor for a private party, private reception, or private special occasion, at the following places:

(1)       His home or a temporary residence, such as a hotel room;

(2)       Any other property not primarily used for commercial purposes, which is under his exclusive control and supervision, and which is not open to the public during the event;

(3)       The licensed premises of any business for which the Commission has issued a special occasions permit under G.S. 18B‑1001(8), if he is the host of that private function and has the permission of the permittee.

(d)       Consumption. – It shall be lawful for a person to consume fortified wine and spirituous liquor in any place where it is lawful for him to possess those alcoholic beverages under subsections (a) through (c).

(e)       Incident to Sale. – It shall be lawful to possess fortified wine and spirituous liquor at any place, such as an ABC store, where possession is a necessary incident to lawful sale. Consumption at such a place shall be unlawful unless the establishment has a permit authorizing consumption on the premises as well as sale.

(f)        Unlawful Possession or Use. – As illustration, but not limitation, of the general prohibition stated in G.S. 18B‑102(a), it shall be unlawful for:

(1)       Any person to consume fortified wine, spirituous liquor, or mixed beverages or to offer such beverages to another person:

a.         On the premises of an ABC store, or

b.         Upon any property used or occupied by a local board, or

c.         On any public road, street, highway, or sidewalk.

(2)       Any person to display publicly at an athletic contest fortified wine, spirituous liquor, or mixed beverages;

(3)       Any person to permit any fortified wine, spirituous liquor, or mixed beverages to be possessed or consumed upon any premises not authorized by this Chapter;

(4)       Any person to possess or consume any fortified wine, spirituous liquor, or mixed beverages upon any premises where such possession or consumption is not authorized by law, or where the person has been forbidden to possess or consume that beverage by the owner or other person in charge of the premises;

(5)       Any person to possess on any of the premises described in subsections (a) through (c) a greater amount of fortified wine or spirituous liquor than authorized by this Chapter;

(6)       Any permittee, other than a mixed beverage or culinary permittee, to possess spirituous liquor or mixed beverages on his licensed premises.

(7)       Any person to possess on his person or consume malt beverages or unfortified wine upon any property owned or leased by a local board of education and used by the local board of education for school purposes. Provided, however, the prohibition in G.S. 18B‑102(a) and this subdivision shall not apply on property owned by a local board of education which was leased for 99 years or more to a nonprofit auditorium authority created prior to 1991 whose governing board is appointed by a city board of aldermen, a county board of commissioners, or a local school board. (1905, c. 498, ss. 6‑8; Rev., ss. 3526, 3534; C.S., s. 3371; 1937, c. 49, ss. 12, 16, 22; c. 411; 1955, c. 999; 1967, c. 222, ss. 1, 8; c. 1256, s. 3; 1969, c. 1018; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 1226; 1977, c. 176, s. 1; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1138, ss. 8‑12, 18; 1979, c. 384, s. 3; c. 609, s. 2; c. 718; c. 893, s. 10; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 39; 1983, c. 917, s. 1; 1985, c. 566, s. 1; 1991, c. 459, s. 1; 1993, c. 508, s. 1; 1995, c. 372, s. 1.)

 

§ 18B‑302.  Sale to or purchase by underage persons.

(a)       Sale. – It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(1)       Sell or give malt beverages or unfortified wine to anyone less than 21 years old; or

(2)       Sell or give fortified wine, spirituous liquor, or mixed beverages to anyone less than 21 years old.

(b)       Purchase or Possession. – It shall be unlawful for:

(1)       A person less than 21 years old to purchase, to attempt to purchase, or to possess malt beverages or unfortified wine; or

(2)       A person less than 21 years old to purchase, to attempt to purchase, or to possess fortified wine, spirituous liquor, or mixed beverages.

(c)       Aider and Abettor.

(1)       By Underage Person. – Any person who is under the lawful age to purchase and who aids or abets another in violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

(2)       By Person over Lawful Age. – Any person who is over the lawful age to purchase and who aids or abets another in violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(d)       Defense. – It shall be a defense to a violation of subsection (a) of this section if the seller:

(1)       Shows that the purchaser produced a driver's license, a special identification card issued under G.S. 20‑37.7, a military identification card, or a passport, showing his age to be at least the required age for purchase and bearing a physical description of the person named on the card reasonably describing the purchaser; or

(2)       Produces evidence of other facts that reasonably indicated at the time of sale that the purchaser was at least the required age.

(3)       Shows that at the time of purchase, the purchaser utilized a biometric identification system that demonstrated (i) the purchaser's age to be at least the required age for the purchase and (ii) the purchaser had previously registered with the seller or seller's agent a drivers license, a special identification card issued under G.S. 20‑377.7, a military identification card, or a passport showing the purchaser's date of birth and bearing a physical description of the person named on the document.

(e)       Fraudulent Use of Identification. – It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or attempt to enter a place where alcoholic beverages are sold or consumed, or to obtain or attempt to obtain alcoholic beverages, or to obtain or attempt to obtain permission to purchase alcoholic beverages, in violation of subsection (b) of this section, by using or attempting to use any of the following:

(1)       A fraudulent or altered drivers license.

(2)       A fraudulent or altered identification document other than a drivers license.

(3)       A drivers license issued to another person.

(4)       An identification document other than a drivers license issued to another person.

(5)       Any other form or means of identification that indicates or symbolizes that the person is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages under this section.

(f)        Allowing Use of Identification. – It shall be unlawful for any person to permit the use of the person's drivers license or any other form of identification of any kind issued or given to the person by any other person who violates or attempts to violate subsection (b) of this section.

(g)       Conviction Report Sent to Division of Motor Vehicles. – The court shall file a conviction report with the Division of Motor Vehicles indicating the name of the person convicted and any other information requested by the Division if the person is convicted of:

(1)       A violation of subsection (e) or (f) of this section; or

(2)       A violation of subdivision (c)(1) of this section; or

(3)       A violation of subsection (b) of this section, if the violation occurred while the person was purchasing or attempting to purchase an alcoholic beverage.

Upon receipt of a conviction report, the Division shall revoke the person's license as required by G.S. 20‑17.3.

(h)       Handling in Course of Employment. – Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an underage person from selling, transporting, possessing or dispensing alcoholic beverages in the course of employment, if the employment of the person for that purpose is lawful under applicable youth employment statutes and Commission rules.

(i)        Purchase or Possession by 19 or 20‑Year Old. – A violation of subdivision (b)(1) of this section by a person who is 19 or 20 years old is a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1933, c. 216, s. 8; 1959, c. 745, s. 1; 1967, c. 222, s. 3; 1969, c. 998; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 27; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1138, s. 2; 1979, c. 683, s. 2; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, ss. 40, 41; 1983, c. 435, ss. 32, 35; c. 740, ss. 1, 2; Ex. Sess., c. 5; 1985, c. 141, ss. 2‑3; 1993, c. 539, s. 311; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1999‑406, s. 7; 2001‑461, ss. 2, 3; 2001‑487, s. 42(b); 2005‑350, s. 6(a).)

 

§ 18B‑302.1.  Penalties for certain offenses related to underage persons.

(a)       A violation of G.S. 18B‑302(a) is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 15A‑1340.23, if the court imposes a sentence that does not include an active punishment, the court must include among the conditions of probation a requirement that the person pay a fine of at least two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) as authorized by G.S. 15A‑1343(b)(9) and a requirement that the person complete at least 25 hours of community service, as authorized by G.S. 15A‑1343(b1)(6). If the person has a previous conviction of this offense in the four years immediately preceding the date of the current offense, and the court imposes a sentence that does not include an active punishment, the court must include among the conditions of probation a requirement that the person pay a fine of at least five hundred dollars ($500.00) as authorized by G.S. 15A‑1343(b)(9) and a requirement that the person complete at least 150 hours of community service, as authorized by G.S. 15A‑1343(b1)(6).

(b)       A violation of G.S. 18B‑302(c)(2) is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 15A‑1340.23, if the court imposes a sentence that does not include an active punishment, the court must include among the conditions of probation a requirement that the person pay a fine of at least five hundred dollars ($500.00) as authorized by G.S. 15A‑1343(b)(9) and a requirement that the person complete at least 25 hours of community service, as authorized by G.S. 15A‑1343(b1)(6). If the person has a previous conviction of this offense in the four years immediately preceding the date of the current offense, and the court imposes a sentence that does not include an active punishment, the court must include among the conditions of probation a requirement that the person pay a fine of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) as authorized by G.S. 15A‑1343(b)(9) and a requirement that the person complete at least 150 hours of community service, as authorized by G.S. 15A‑1343(b1)(6).

(c)       In addition to the punishments imposed under this section, the court may impose the provisions of G.S. 18B‑202 and of G.S. 18B‑503, 18B‑504, and 18B‑505. (1999‑433, s. 1.)

 

§ 18B‑303.  Amounts of alcoholic beverages that may be purchased.

(a)       Purchases Allowed. – Without a permit, a person may purchase at one time:

(1)       Not more than 80 liters of malt beverages, other than draft malt beverages in kegs;

(2)       Any amount of draft malt beverages in kegs;

(3)       Not more than 50 liters of unfortified wine;

(4)       Not more than eight liters of either fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or eight liters of the two combined.

(b)       Unlawful Purchase. – Except as provided in subsection (c) and in Article 11, it shall be unlawful for any person to purchase, or for any person to sell, an amount of alcoholic beverages greater than that stated in subsection (a).

(c)       Greater Amounts. – Amounts of alcoholic beverages greater than those listed in subdivisions (a)(3) and (a)(4) may be purchased with a purchase‑transportation permit under G.S. 18B‑403. (1905, c. 498, ss. 6‑8; Rev., ss. 3526, 3534; C.S., s. 3371; 1937, c. 49, ss. 12, 16, 22; c. 411; 1955, c. 999; 1967, c. 222, ss. 1, 8; c. 1256, s. 3; 1969, c. 1018; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 1226; 1977, c. 176, s. 1; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1138, ss. 8‑12, 18; 1979, c. 384, s. 3; c. 609, s. 2; c. 718; c. 893, s. 10; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1989, c. 553, s. 1; 1993, c. 508, s. 2; 2001‑262, s. 5.)

 

§ 18B‑304.  Sale and possession for sale.

(a)       Offense. – It shall be unlawful for any person to sell any alcoholic beverage, or possess any alcoholic beverage for sale, without first obtaining the applicable ABC permit and revenue licenses.

(b)       Prima Facie Evidence. – Possession of the following amounts of alcoholic beverages, without a permit authorizing that possession, shall be prima facie evidence that the possessor is possessing those alcoholic beverages for sale:

(1)       More than 80 liters of malt beverages, other than draft malt beverages in kegs;

(2)       More than eight liters of spirituous liquor; or

(3)       Any amount of nontaxpaid alcoholic beverages.  (1913, c. 44, s. 2; 1915, c. 97, s. 8; 1923, c. 1, ss. 2, 6, 10; C.S., ss. 3379, 3411(b), (f), (j); 1937, c. 49, ss. 13, 15; 1945, c. 635; 1949, c. 1251, s. 2; 1951, c. 850; 1955, c. 560; 1957, c. 984; c. 1235, s. 1; 1963, c. 932; 1967, c. 222, ss. 4, 6; 1969, c. 789; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1975, c. 654, s. 4; 1977, c. 176, ss. 1‑3; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 42; 1989, c. 553, s. 2; 1993, c. 508, s. 3.)

 

§ 18B‑305.  Other prohibited sales.

(a)       Sale to Intoxicated Person. – It shall be unlawful for a permittee or his employee or for an ABC store employee to knowingly sell or give alcoholic beverages to any person who is intoxicated.

(b)       Discretion for Seller. – Any person authorized to sell alcoholic beverages under this Chapter may, in his discretion, refuse to sell to anyone. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly buy alcoholic beverages for someone who has been refused the right to purchase under this subsection.

(c)       Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, no permittee may refuse to sell alcoholic beverages to a person solely based on that person's race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability. (1937, c. 49, ss. 11, 15; c. 411; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1138, s. 5; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1999‑462, s. 5.)

 

§ 18B‑306.  Making wines and malt beverages for private use.

An individual may make, possess, and transport native wines and malt beverages for his own use and for the use of his family and guests. Native wines shall be made principally from honey, grapes, or other fruit or grain grown in this State, or from wine kits containing honey, grapes, or other fruit or grain concentrates, and shall have only that alcoholic content produced by natural fermentation. Malt beverages may be made by use of malt beverage kits containing grain extracts or concentrates. Wine kits and malt beverage kits may be sold in this State. No ABC permit is required to make beverages pursuant to this section. (1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 1218; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 43; 1985, c. 114, s. 6.)

 

§ 18B‑307.  Manufacturing offenses.

(a)       Offenses. – It shall be unlawful for any person, except as authorized by this Chapter, to:

(1)       Sell or possess equipment or ingredients intended for use in the manufacture of any alcoholic beverage, except equipment and ingredients provided under a Brew on Premises permit; or

(2)       Knowingly allow real or personal property owned or possessed by him to be used by another person for the manufacture of any alcoholic beverage, except pursuant to a Brew on Premises permit.

(b)       Unlawful Manufacturing. – Except as provided in G.S. 18B‑306, it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture any alcoholic beverage, except at an establishment with a Brew on Premises permit, without first obtaining the applicable ABC permit and revenue licenses.

(c)       Second Offense of Manufacturing. – A second offense of unlawful manufacturing of alcoholic beverage shall be a Class I felony. (1905, c. 498, s. 2; Rev., s. 3533; 1923, c. 1, ss. 4, 6, 26; C.S., ss. 3407, 3411(d), (f), (z); 1937, c. 49, s. 13; 1945, c. 635; 1951, c. 850; 1955, c. 560; 1957, c. 984; c. 1235, s. 1; 1969, c. 789; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1979, c. 699, s. 1; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 44; 1997‑467, s. 1.)

 

§ 18B‑308.  Sale and consumption at bingo games.

It shall be unlawful to sell or consume, or for the owner or other person in charge of the premises to allow the sale or consumption of, any alcoholic beverage in any room while a raffle or bingo game is being conducted in that room under Part 2 of Article 37 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes. (1905, c. 498, ss. 6‑8; Rev., ss. 3526, 3534; C.S., s. 3371; 1937, c. 49, ss. 12, 16, 22; c. 411; 1955, c. 999; 1967, c. 222, ss. 1, 8; c. 1256, s. 3; 1969, c. 1018; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 1226; 1977, c. 176, s. 1; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1138, ss. 8‑12, 18; 1979, c. 384, s. 3; c. 609, s. 2; c. 718; c. 893, s. 10; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1983, c. 896, s. 4.)

 

§ 18B‑309.  Alcoholic beverage sales in Urban Redevelopment Areas.

(a)       A food business as defined in G.S. 18B‑1000(3), a retail business as defined in G.S. 18B‑1000(7), or an eating establishment as defined in G.S. 18B‑1000(2) that holds an ABC permit under this Chapter and is located in a part of a city that has been designated as an Urban Redevelopment Area under Article 22 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes shall not have alcoholic beverage sales in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the business's total annual sales. The city council, or its designee, shall file a certified copy of the official action and original documents, including a map or similar information, designating the area as an Urban Redevelopment Area. The Commission shall make this information available to any permittee who makes a request for this information to the Commission.

(b)       Upon request of a city, the Commission shall investigate the total annual alcohol sales and total sales of a business as defined in this section. The Commission shall report the results of such an investigation to the city council, and the report shall contain only the percentage of annual alcohol sales in proportion to the business's total annual sales. A city may request an investigation of a particular business by the Commission only once in each calendar year. These audits may be conducted by the Commission only upon the request of the city council.

(c)       Businesses covered by this section shall maintain full and accurate monthly records of their finances, separately indicating each of the following:

(1)       Amounts expended by the business for the purchase of alcoholic beverages and the quantity of alcoholic beverages purchased;

(2)       Amounts collected from the sale of alcoholic beverages sold; and

(3)       Amounts collected from the sale of food, nonalcoholic beverages, and all other items sold by the business.

Records of purchases of alcoholic beverages and sales of alcoholic beverages shall be filed separate and apart from all other records maintained on the premises, and all records related to alcoholic beverages, including original invoices, shall be maintained on the premises for three years and shall be open for inspection and audit pursuant to G.S. 18B‑502. (1999‑322, s. 1; 2001‑515, s. 3(a).)

 

§§ 18B‑310 through 18B‑399.  Reserved for future codification purposes.