ANCHORAGE, AK — Today, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz issued Emergency Order EO-12, permitting expansion of alcohol beverages-licensed premises. EO-12 takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, and remains in effect for the duration of the Mayor's Proclamation of Emergency.
Emergency Order EO-12 aligns municipal alcohol regulations with recent changes made by the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The order allows temporary alteration of alcoholic beverages-licensed premises to facilitate physically distant outdoor seating for restaurants, breweries, distilleries, wineries, and other licensees. Altered floor plans or reduced or expanded alcoholic beverages-licensed premises must be approved by the Director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) using Form AB-15: Licensed Premises COVID Form.
“Allowing businesses with liquor licenses to seat customers outdoors and farther apart will help keep patrons and staff safe," said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. “This emergency order allows for flexibility that gives businesses added options as they adapt to service in a time of COVID."
Expansion of licensed premises can include outdoor areas within the same property, such as a patio or parking lot, or next to the property when the licensed premises includes public rights-of-way, such as a portion of the sidewalk or street. Businesses with approved plans from AMCO will be exempt from off-street parking if their modification includes part of their parking lot.
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Media contact: Carolyn Hall, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor, (907) 310-0753, carolyn.hall@anchorageak.gov