Title
Discussion: An Ordinance approving amendments to Chapter 4 - Alcoholic Beverages, Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Body
Issue/Request:
At the August 12, 2026, CEDC meeting, staff received direction to prepare an ordinance amending the City’s current regulations governing liquor licenses. Specifically, the Committee directed staff to revise the requirements related to the percentage of alcohol sales regarding certain licenses and the restrictions governing persons under the age of 21 being present in licensed establishments.
Sections 4-128 (C3 license) , 4-134 (G3 license), and 4-151 (T license) in Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages. Article I, In General of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee's Summit required each proprietor of the specified license type to file a verified statement showing the amount of gross sales of liquor and/ or sales of prepared meals and food and meet a fifty (50) percent or less requirement of gross sales from alcohol.
The amendments, if approved, will require the businesses with the specified license types to maintain fifty-five (55) percent or less of gross sales from alcohol and maintain an average of forty-five (45) percent or more of its total gross income in sales of prepared meals and food; or maintain an average of forty-five (45) percent or more of its total gross income in sales of goods, merchandise, or commodities other than intoxicating liquor.
In addition, Sections 4-11 and 4-17 in Article I, In General of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee's Summit will be amended, if approved, to allow a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years of age to be on the premises for businesses with a specific license type that allows serving of intoxicating liquor if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Attached to this packet are the proposed ordinance and supporting documentation for the Committee’s review and consideration.
It should be noted that if these changes are approved additional changes within the Unified Development Ordinance of the City of Lee's Summit (UDO) will be needed for the following section(s):
Article 15 Rules of Interpretation and Definitions.
Division II. Definitions. SEC. 15.2570 Restaurant, general.
This is due to the current definition indicating that the restaurant must have a least fifty (50) percent or more of its gross income generated by food sales. This must be changed to (45) forty-five percent to be unified across the Code of Ordinances and the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO).
There is no need for changes related to the definition of bar or tavern. They will remain the same due to their license type and business model being primarily engaged in the sale and consumption of alcohol on premise.
Presenter
Major Nicole Walters, Police Department
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Community and Economic Development Committee review the proposed amendments to Chapter 4 - Alcoholic Beverages and recommend approval of the ordinance as presented.