Frequently Asked Questions

A social district is a specific area in which alcoholic beverages are allowed to be carried in designated containers on the street. The League of Municipalities recently provided a guidance document on on the Updated House Bill 211 (SL2022-49) Social District Law. This state law allowing local governments to establish social districts was passed in September of 2021. The Clayton Town Council approved the Clayton Social District Ordinance in April of 2024. 

The way the law is written, the following must be addressed in an ordinance to create a social district:

1. A geographic zone must be established and a map of that zone must be filed with the ABC.
2. Special cups must be used that say “Must be 21-please drink responsibly”. Additionally, the cup must identify the social district and the name of the business in which it was sold.
3. The zone must be clearly marked and delineated with visible markings and/or signs.
4. Sanitation, safety and public health must be considered and adequately addressed.
5. The district map, hours of operation, and days of operation are approved by Clayton Town Council via approval of an ordinance.
6. Businesses that do not serve alcohol may choose to opt out of allowing beverages in their store. Businesses that do serve alcohol are not obligated to participate. 

• Encourages economic vitality in the community.  
• Enhances exposure to cultural experiences for residents and visitors.  
• Increases foot traffic and revenue for retailers.  
• Business attraction for businesses interested in locating in social districts. 

No. In the absence of a decal, your business will be treated the same as a business marked with the "No Social District Alcohol Permitted Here" red stickers.

Signage will be posted throughout the district with the map of the district as show above. Sidewalk graphics (also shown above) will be located at the major exit points throughout the district. No alcohol is allow beyond these sidewalk graphics. 

The Downtown Clayton Social District is operational Monday through Saturday 10AM to 10PM, and Sunday from Noon to 10PM.

Window clings will be displayed on participating businesses' doors/or windows to identify those that have opted into the district. A list of participating locations will also be available on the Town's Social Districts' webpage. ONLY, If you see a GREEN "Welcomed here" decal are you allowed inside that business with your drink. 

Businesses must submit the Social District Registration Form in order to opt in, or to opt-out and request a red decal. Any business that has not completed this registration form will not receive a decal and therefore by default will be opting out. A business can re-submit this form to change their selection at any time. For a link to the registration form, please email ldavis@townofclaytonnc.org. 

Per the state legislation, Social District cups must:

• Container clearly identifies the permittee (business) from which the alcoholic beverage was purchased.
• Container clearly displays a logo or some other mark unique to the social district in which it will be consumed.
• Container is not comprised of glass.
• Container displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement, "Drink Responsibly–Be 21."
• The container cannot hold more than 16 fluid ounces.

Businesses are responsible for purchasing and using their cups, which must conform to the statutory requirements for social district cups. The Town of Clayton will provide the official sticker template that must be displayed on the cups (as shown in example photo above). Establishments are required to display their business name on the sticker in addition to the date and time the alcoholic beverage is served.

No. Only beverages purchased by an ABC-permitted business located within the social district may be consumed within the social district. No outside alcohol is permitted. No refilling of cups is allowed. Dispose of your cups and get a new one for each beverage.

A single patron cannot be sold or delivered alcoholic drinks in excess of:

• Not more than two beer or wine alcoholic beverage drinks at one time.
• Not more than one alcoholic beverage at one time if an alcoholic beverage drink contains liquor.

• No. Cups should be disposed of in a nearby receptacle prior to exiting the social district OR entering your car.
• Alcoholic beverages must be sold by a permittee located within the social district. No personal beer, wine, or liquor may be brought into the social district.
• No person shall possess an alcoholic beverage while driving a vehicle, including bicycles. 
• An open container of any alcoholic beverage is also prohibited in the passenger area of any vehicle while on right-of-way within the social district.

No. Only drinks purchased from qualified ABC-permittee businesses within the social district are allowed. No cans, glass bottles, or outside drinks are permitted within the boundaries.

No. Participating locations must have an ABC permit for on-site consumption as outlined in NCGS 18B-904.1(a).

All businesses within the social district can opt out of the district. Businesses do not have to allow alcohol within their place of business. Signage will be provided to all businesses that choose to participate or not participate in the social district program.

ALE/state laws regarding the unlawful possession and consumption of alcohol applies to patrons who violate open container laws. Individuals who leave the social district possessing alcoholic beverages can be criminally charged under the Town's open container ordinance.

If a special event is taking place downtown within the social district, the event criteria of the special event will supersede that of the social district's program regulations (e.g., if a special event does not allow alcohol, signage will need to be posted at points of entry to the special event notifying the public that alcohol is prohibited). otherwise, social district beverages are allowed to enter a special event. If a special event area overlaps with the social district and there is an outside vendor selling alcoholic beverages at that event, those drinks are NOT allowed to leave the special event area (e.g. beer or wine purchased at a Downtown Clayton Concert cannot leave the concert boundaries)

The Town of Clayton's Police Department and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) has jurisdiction over the social district and will enforce local and state laws.