Title
An Ordinance amending Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages, Article III. Licenses Division 1. Generally, Section 4-76. Required of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. (CEDC 5/14/25)
Body
Key Issues:
Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee’s Summit regulates the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the City of Lee’s Summit.
Section 4-76 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee’s Summit contains language that declares it unlawful to engage in the distribution of any type of alcoholic beverages within the City limits, without first having duly obtained a license authorizing such distribution, even if there is no sale of said alcoholic beverages.
City of Lee’s Summit businesses, namely boutiques, have expressed the desire to provide or “distribute” alcoholic beverages to people, free of charge, to attract potential customers to their businesses by allowing them to consume these complimentary alcoholic beverages while they shop. These businesses would not otherwise qualify for any existing liquor license given their current business models.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety Division of Alcohol Tobacco Control does not prohibit these businesses from distributing alcoholic beverages in this manner provided said businesses do not require a sale to provide the alcoholic beverages, do not sell food or snacks, the persons being provided the alcoholic beverages are aged 21 and over and are not visibly intoxicated, and no tip jars are left out or anything else is done that could make the situation an indirect sale.
Changing the language Sec. 4-76 from “distribution” to “distribution for compensation” would allow businesses to distribute free or complimentary alcoholic beverages to people on the premises.
Staff recommends that the ordinance be revised, and not more restrictive than the State of Missouri in respect to this issue.
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 4, Alcoholic B...
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