Status of Local Authority to Regulate Days & Hours of Alcohol Sales

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with many health and societal problems, including chronic diseases, injuries, and violence. Limiting the days and hours of alcohol sales is one strategy recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force on the basis of strong evidence on the prevention of excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. 

The extent to which local policymakers can modify days or hours of alcohol sales in their jurisdiction is not widely known and varies across states. This legal memorandum provides the results of legal research to identify states with policies that specifically authorize localities to regulate the days, hours, or both of alcohol sales.