New Yorba Linda rule: private parties renting Community Center must purchase any alcohol used from Center Weddings and Events

A new rule on how alcohol is procured for use at events at the Community Center follows the longtime Yorba Linda practice of trying to minimize the potential for negative incidents related to alcohol use.

The new regulation requires sponsors of private events at the center to purchase any alcohol used from Center Weddings and Events, which is operated in partnership with the Black Gold Golf Club by Kemper Sports. The policy begins with bookings made after Oct. 31.

Prior to the rule change, private parties renting center facilities could provide their own alcohol, but due to state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations, alcohol remaining after the event could not be removed from the site.

The ABC leave-the-liquor-behind rule “is well documented during the booking process, and it is even discussed during event set-up,” Finance Director Scott Catlett noted in a report to the City Council recently.

“Nevertheless,” Catlett stated, “it has been extremely challenging to enforce this regulation at the end of the rental, as clients and/or guests become upset after seeing the amount of alcohol that is required to be left on site, which is later disposed of by the bartending staff.”

Catlett also noted that “an increase in consumption toward the end of events can occur, which staff believes at least in part likely has led to the several negative incidents that have occurred toward the end of events.”

Three specific events required calls to the county Sheriff's Department and Fire Authority for assistance, he stated.

“Even when incidents do not occur,” Catlett added, “the negative interaction resulting from the inability of customers to take the remaining alcohol with them at the end of the event is routine for these types of rentals.”

Non-profit organizations have the ability to provide and serve their own alcohol because they can obtain a one-day ABC license, which is not available to private individuals, Catlett stated.

Other changes: extending alcohol service from 5 to 5 ½ hours or with no limit for non-profits with ABC licenses, allowing alcohol service to adults at youth-related events and eliminating the security guard requirement for events with 100 or fewer people.

Yorba Linda's unique history regarding alcohol began when the deeds for the first tracts of land sold in 1909 restricted the sale of alcoholic beverages, according to the oral histories conducted with several pioneer residents.

In 1971 and 1972 oral histories, George Kellogg said he held the only liquor license for a time after Prohibition ended, when community leaders bought it to forestall alcohol sales, although later a state official made him give it up.

As late as 2017, the council repealed a 40-year ban on serving liquor at charity bingo games. Currently, the 20-square-mile city has 58 active on-sale retail licenses (restaurants, bars) and 25 active off-sale retail licenses (grocery, liquor stores).