Chapter 6 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Plain English: what this part covers
This is the rulebook for selling, serving and drinking alcohol in Ashburn. It covers who can get a beer, wine or liquor license and how the city council grants, renews, suspends or takes one away; what hours stores and bars can sell; rules for events, BYOB ('brown bagging') and catering; the city's alcohol excise taxes; and a ban on drinking or open containers on city streets and property.
- Beer/wine retail hours: 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. weekdays; 6:00 a.m.–midnight Saturday (6-121)
- Sunday package beer & wine: 12:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m., only for stores licensed for both (6-121(b))
- Bars (under 50% food sales): last sale 2:30 a.m., empty by 3:00 a.m.; sports bars last sale 2:55 a.m. (6-121(c))
- Customers out 15 minutes after the last drink must be cleared; up to 4 employees may stay 1 more hour (6-122)
- Happy hour: no discounts below half price, and only 4:00–8:00 p.m. (6-130)
- Distance: 100 yards from church, school, college or government treatment center (6-65(2)k)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 2012-07, §§ 1, 2(Exh. A), adopted Dec. 6, 2012, repealed the Ch. 6 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 6, §§ 6-1—6-10, 6-20—6-23, 6-30—6-39, 6-50—6-70, 6-80—6-85, 6-90, 6-91, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 02-09, §§ 1, 2, adopted Sept. 5, 2002; Ord. No. 05-05, adopted June 2, 2005; Ord. No. 08-02, §§ 1, 2, adopted Jan. 15, 2008; Ord. No. 08-14, § 1, adopted Dec. 4, 2008; Ord. No. 08-17, § 1, adopted Dec. 4, 2008; Ord. No. 09-01, § 1, adopted Jan. 8, 2009; Ord. No. 09-10, §§ 1, 2, adopted Dec. 3, 2009; Ord. No. 2011-09, § 1, adopted Aug. 4, 2011; Ord. No. 2011-12, § 1, adopted Oct. 6, 2011.
Cross reference— Businesses, ch. 22.
State Law reference— Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Code, § 3-1-1 et seq.
What's in here
Questions folks ask
What hours can stores and bars sell beer and wine?
Retail beer and wine sales are allowed 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays. Places with an on-premises license that make less than half their money from food can't sell after 2:30 a.m. and must be empty by 3:00 a.m.; sports bars must stop at 2:55 a.m. Drinks have to be off the tables one hour after the last legal sale. No sales on Christmas Day.
Can I buy beer or wine on a Sunday in Ashburn?
Only from a package store that holds licenses for BOTH beer and wine, between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The code otherwise says no beer or wine is sold or distributed on Sundays.
Can I drink a beer on the sidewalk or in a city park?
No. Drinking alcohol, or carrying an opened container, is not allowed on public streets, alleys, sidewalks, or any property the city owns or leases. Events the city or another government sponsors are exempt.
Are happy hours and drink specials allowed?
Limited ones. Bars can't do all-you-can-drink, two-for-one, or coupons for drinks on a later day. Between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., drinks can be discounted down to half the normal price; outside those hours, no discounts except on police-approved 'special events days.' Pitchers and jumbo beers are fine if offered at the regular price all the time.
Can I take my unfinished drink with me when I leave a bar or restaurant?
The city code says licensees may not let any unfinished drink served for on-premises consumption leave the premises.
How close to a church or school can a business sell alcohol?
The city won't issue a license for a spot within 100 yards (straight line, property line to property line) of a church, a public or church-run school or college, or a government-run alcohol or drug treatment center. A location that already has a license keeps eligibility even if a church or school moves in later, as long as the license stays active, or a new one is issued within six months.
How do I get an alcohol license and who decides?
File a sworn application with the finance director, including fingerprints, a photo and background information on owners and managers, plus the application fee and license fee. Police investigate, the finance director and city manager make recommendations, and the city council grants it or holds a hearing. Applicants must be 21 or older. On top of the license fee, there's an extra $100 for on-premises beer/wine and $1,000 for on-premises liquor. If you're turned down, you wait 90 days before reapplying.
When do alcohol licenses expire and how do I renew?
All licenses expire at midnight December 31. Renewal applications and the next year's fee are due by 12:00 noon on November 1; miss it and the license lapses (the city manager can extend to January 31 for good cause).
Can people under 21 be in a bar, or work in a restaurant that serves alcohol?
Nobody under the legal drinking age can be on the premises of a 'bar.' Restaurants may employ people under 18, but they can't sell, serve or take orders for alcohol. Grocery store workers under 18 can ring up and handle alcohol.
Can I bring my own bottle (BYOB) to a restaurant or club?
Only if the business holds a brown bagging license ($600 a year, or $25 for a single day). Brown bagging isn't allowed on Sundays, after midnight Saturday, between 1:00 and 6:00 a.m., or on Christmas.
I want to rent out my property for parties or hold a public event. What do I need?
Property owners who host public events or rent property for events need an annual license ($75 plus a $100 regulatory fee). Give the police chief written notice at least 14 days before a public event. If alcohol will be served, the sponsor needs a $75 special event alcohol license, and must pay for a POST-certified police officer to be there.
What happens to a business that breaks the alcohol rules?
The city's guidelines are: first offense in two years, a 30-day suspension and $150 reinstatement fee; second offense in two years, 90 days and $250 (or revocation if within 12 months); third offense in two years, revocation. The council can adjust these based on the facts.
How many liquor stores can Ashburn have?
No more than three licenses for package (take-home) sales of distilled spirits.
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH6ALBE
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH6ALBE
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