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Lufkin council updates alcohol‑related city code, establishes permit review for alcohol at city properties
Summary
Council repealed city fee language that conflicts with state law and approved a new permitting framework for alcohol at events on city property; Lufkin Police Department will review permits and security costs may be charged to event hosts when officer presence is required.
The Lufkin City Council approved amendments to the city code affecting alcoholic beverages and created a permitting process for alcohol at events on city property.
As part of a comprehensive code review, staff said several ordinance sections must be repealed because they conflict with state law governing TABC permits. “Under sections 437.012 and 437.0123 of the Texas Local Government Code, a city that participates in a public health district like we do may no longer assess a local fee for the issuance or renewal of a permit issued by TABC,” staff told the council, and recommended repeal of the conflicting city fee provisions.
Separately, staff proposed a permitting process that would allow alcohol at events on city‑owned property and parks, with applications reviewed by the Lufkin Police Department. Staff emphasized the city’s intent that the base rental fee for parks would not change; however, additional costs such as security or litter abatement associated with larger events could be charged to the event host. “If there’s an event with 500 people, there will be more law enforcement presence required. That fee is paid for by the applicant, not by the city,” a staff member said.
Councilmembers asked whether existing facility contracts (for example, the civic center) would be affected; staff said the convention center operates separately and the new ordinance is focused on city property and parks. The council moved and approved both ordinance items on first reading by voice vote.
