“Cocktails to go” are now allowed at 22 Fernley restaurants with a liquor license under a new
ordinance approved by the Fernley City Council on Oct. 1.
Hearing no objections to the proposed ordinance during a second reading and public hearing on
the proposal, the city council unanimously adopted the measure, allowing all Fernley restaurants
with a current liquor license to perform home delivery or take out of sealed alcoholic beverages.
No new license is required to offer this service. All that was required was for the city council to
approve the new service under the provisions of the recently passed Assembly Bill 375, said City
Clerk Kim Swanson, noting that the action could provide a new revenue stream for qualifying
establishments.
Restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages “to go” require the drink be placed in a container
with a secure cap that provides a visible sign if the drink has been opened, while retail liquor
store deliveries must be in original packaging. An open liquor container in a vehicle remains
illegal, Swanson said.
If delivered, all delivery drivers must obtain a delivery license from the City of Fernley in
addition to any other required state or local licenses, according to the ordinance. It was noted in
an accompanying staff report that Uber, Door Dash and other third party delivery companies
require drivers who want to deliver alcohol to undergo rigorous training.
Drivers must verify the person accepting the delivery is at least 21 years of age and is not visibly
intoxicated. Licensees or delivery services must maintain a log of deliveries for four years,
including recipient details and age verification, according to the ordinance.
Deliveries must originate from a licensed establishment during its normal operating hours and
can only be made to residential addresses, hotels/motels and RV/trailer parks, and if an eligible
recipient is not present for the delivery, the alcohol must be returned to the originating
establishment, according to the ordinance.
A surcharge of 50 cents per drink will also be charged on all to-go and delivery orders to help
meet state DUI reduction goals by funding an expanded Ignition Interlock & DUI Reduction
Program, the staff report noted.
Alcohol deliveries may only be made by a Covered Food Establishment (CFE), which is
described as an establishment that prepares food on premises for consumption on or off premises
and is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. In Fernley, the CFE
must hold a full bar liquor license or a beer and wine license, the staff report noted.
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