A proposed city ordinance would have new requirements for 'Bring your own bottle establishments" in Houston.
Mark Mulligan/Staff photographer
Houston Chronicle
Kennedy Sessions, Chron
Houston City Councilmembers are evaluating a proposed city ordinance that would regulate "bring your own bottle" establishments, including restaurants, lounges, bars, and nightclubs.
If passed, the ordinance would require new permitting for places that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission does not license but still allow customers to bring in their own alcoholic beverages. Under the new ordinance, BYOB establishments open after midnight would have to get a certificate of occupancy, place "BYOB Establishment" signs at every entrance, post scaled drawings of the venue and where alcohol can be consumed, and implement a security plan.
In a Wednesday joint meeting with the Houston Council's Quality of Life and Public Safety Committees, city officials said the proposal was spurred by law enforcement officials' reports of rising violent crimes happening at nightlife spaces.
According to the Houston Police Department, there have been nine murders at Houston bars and clubs since November 2022. The department also tallied 32 robberies and 103 cases of aggravated assault in that span. According to the city presentation, many of those violent crimes happened after 2 a.m.
"The ordinance will provide HPD another tool in their tool kit when they're having to address criminal activity that arises from these types of establishments that basically are a threat to the health and safety of the city of Houston," Deputy Director of the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department Kathryn Brunin said Wednesday.
Under the ordinance, BYOB establishments would be required to hire a minimum of one security guard per 100 customers, a hand wand or walkthrough metal detector, lighting in the exterior portion of the premises and the parking lot, and security cameras in all open areas inside and outside of the venue. All entrances also have to be open to allow law enforcement officers to enter and inspect the venue. The BYOB permit fee will cost between $397 and $550, the city added.
Violators could also face a fine of up to $500 and possibly be sued by the city, which could declare that establishment a "nuisance" if they fail to comply after repeated violations.
John Sjoberg, owner of Fourth Ward bring-your-own establishment Lucio's BYOB, said Thursday that the ordinance will not impact his restaurant but is concerned about the consequences it could have for business owners who can't afford all the requirements.
"You can't really make somebody have security cameras it's really the owner's decision to do that," he said. "We have it, but what about all the people who can't afford it and they're just starting out their business? I remember when I started, I struggled. So I can't imagine when people are starting out going through something like that."
Houston City Council is scheduled to discuss the ordinance at the end of May.