[Adopted 4-9-1987 by Ord. No. MC-2289 as Ch. 129, Art. I, of the 1987 Code]
It shall be unlawful to sell or distribute alcoholic beverages other than as provided in this article and the applicable laws and regulations of this state.
A. 
As provided in § 7-73 of this Code, there is established a Municipal Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control in and for the City of Camden. Said Board shall be constituted, appointed and empowered as provided by law.
B. 
The Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control shall constitute the authority for the issuance of licenses under this article and in accordance with Title 33 of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A. 33:1-1 et seq.).
[Amended 12-13-1979 by Ord. No. MC-1551; 4-22-1982 by Ord. No. MC-1855; 6-10-1982 by Ord. No. MC-1860]
The fees for licenses issued under this chapter shall be:
A. 
Plenary retail consumption license: $2,400 for the license year beginning July 1, 2010, and for every license year thereafter.
[Amended 4-28-1994 by Ord. No. MC-2987; 4-28-2010 by Ord. No. MC-4530]
B. 
Plenary retail distribution license: $2,400 for the license year beginning July 1, 2010, and for every license year thereafter.
[Amended 4-28-1994 by Ord. No. MC-2987; 4-28-2010 by Ord. No. MC-4530]
C. 
Club license: $150 per year.
All receipts from payment of license fees shall be turned over to the City Treasurer when and as received.
The City Clerk is hereby designated as the proper person to sign all licenses on behalf of the Municipal Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
A. 
The maximum number of licenses in effect in the City at any one time for each of the following classes of licenses shall be:
(1) 
Plenary retail consumption licenses: 200.
(2) 
Plenary retail distribution licenses: 20.
(3) 
Club licenses: 35.
B. 
Nothing in Subsection A of this section shall be construed to prevent the transfer of a license from person to person, as provided in Title 33 of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated or the applicable state rules and regulations established pursuant thereto. Any such transfer shall not be affected by any limitation placed by Subsection A of this section upon the issuance of new licenses.
C. 
Nothing in Subsection A of this section shall be construed to apply to:
(1) 
The renewal of plenary retail consumption licenses and plenary retail distribution licenses issued and outstanding or for which applications were pending as of July 9, 1936, or transfer of such licenses and the renewal of licenses so transferred.
(2) 
The renewal or transfer of club licenses issued and outstanding as of July 25, 1963.
D. 
Nothing in Subsection A of this section shall be construed to prevent the issuance of a new license to a person who:
(1) 
After April 22, 1965, constructs, establishes and operates a new hotel in the City containing at least 100 sleeping rooms.
(2) 
Operates a hotel in the City containing at least 100 sleeping rooms and who does not, on April 8, 1965, possess a license issued pursuant to this article.
E. 
Any license issued pursuant to Subsection D of this section shall not be renewed or transferred to any other premises except for or to such premises which are used as a hotel containing at least 100 sleeping rooms.
A. 
Plenary retail consumption license.
[Amended 12-28-1989 by Ord. No. MC-2504]
(1) 
No plenary retail consumption license shall be issued for any premises within 500 feet of any other plenary retail consumption licensed premises. The foregoing prohibition shall not prevent a renewal or person-to-person transfer at any existing location. The Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control may, in its reasonable discretion, waive the above restriction in districts zoned C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-W, I-1, I-2 or C-C or in areas zoned for planned unit development if the applicant shall establish to the Board's satisfaction that such waiver will not adversely impact on the surrounding area and the public health, safety and welfare. When reviewing an application for a waiver, the Board shall consider and make a finding with respect to each of the following:
(a) 
Whether the location of an additional facility in an area will have an adverse impact on adjacent residential areas.
(b) 
Whether the proposed location is in an area where patrons of licensed facilities tend to congregate and/or consume alcoholic beverages on the adjacent streets, sidewalks and properties and whether the proposed facility is of such a type that it may be expected that its patrons may engage in similar inappropriate behavior.
(c) 
The location of any premises licensed for plenary retail distribution in proximity to the proposed facility.
(d) 
Whether the proposed facility and existing licensed facilities are predominantly designed for use as taverns, restaurants, hotels or entertainment facilities.
(e) 
Whether there is any dominant commercial or recreational theme in the area that would be enhanced by the presence of the proposed facility.
(f) 
Whether the proposed facility would enhance or facilitate a redevelopment project.
(g) 
Any factors which the Board deems critical to its decision to grant or deny an application for waiver.
(2) 
The enumeration of certain zoning districts for the purpose of designating areas eligible for a waiver of the restriction imposed by this section shall not be deemed as a modification of the Zoning Code of the City of Camden and does not authorize any use in such districts not permitted by the specific provisions of the Zoning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 870, Zoning and Land Use.
B. 
No plenary retail distribution license shall be issued for any premises within 1,000 feet of any other plenary retail distribution licensed premises. The foregoing prohibition shall not prevent a person-to-person transfer at an existing location or a renewal at an existing location outstanding as of July 9, 1936.
C. 
For the purpose of determining whether a proposed licensed premises is located within 500 feet or 1,000 feet of an existing licensed premises, the measurement shall be taken from the main entrance of the existing licensed premises to the main entrance of the proposed licensed premises along the shortest route a person would take to walk from one facility to the other without violating any laws or ordinances regulating pedestrian travel.
[Added 12-28-1989 by Ord. No. MC-2504]
[Amended 10-12-1978 by Ord. No. MC-1388]
Only two retail distribution or two retail consumption licenses or one license of each type shall be granted to any person, corporation, partnership, limited partnership or association, regardless of the number of different places of business conducted by such person, corporation, partnership, limited partnership or association. The license granted shall cover only the licensed premises. Under no circumstances shall any person, corporation, partnership, limited partnership or association have any right, title, ownership or beneficial interest in more than two licenses.
No plenary retail distribution license shall be granted and issued for the sale of alcoholic beverages in or about or upon any premises whatsoever in which any other business of any other kind, nature or description is carried on, except that nothing in this section shall prohibit the retail sale of nonalcoholic beverages as accessory beverages to alcoholic beverages or other retail sale of merchandise permitted by N.J.S.A. 33:1-12, Subdivision 3, as amended.
The premises for which a plenary retail distribution or retail consumption license shall be granted shall be separate and distinct from any other premises in which other businesses may be carried on and shall be divided from such other premises by a wall completely separating the licensed premises from the premises in which any other business is carried on. There shall be no communication by way of ingress or egress to and from said licensed premises to any other part of the premises carrying on any other kind of business. There shall be no glass partitions used whereby the goods in the licensed premises are visible to customers or patrons in an establishment adjacent thereto. Entrance to the licensed premises shall be from the main thoroughfare or thoroughfares, provided that a door in the rear shall be permissible for the purpose of exit.
[Added 7-8-1976 by Ord. No. MC-1093]
No limited retail distribution license shall be granted within or for use in this municipality.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 181-12, Beer gardens not permitted, was repealed 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. MC-5232.
[Amended 7-28-1977 by Ord. No. MC-1236; 7-12-1979 by Ord. No. MC-1493; 4-23-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1731; 4-22-1982 by Ord. No. MC-1855]
A. 
Any lawfully licensed business entity is permitted to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises during the weekdays and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. the following day and on Sundays between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.
B. 
No alcoholic beverages may be consumed on the premises after 3:15 a.m. on any day in which alcoholic beverages are authorized to be sold.
C. 
Any sale or service not made within the hours permitted herein is deemed to be a violation of this article, and the licensee shall be subject to any sanctions or punishment as prescribed by the ordinances of the City of Camden and/or the statutes of the State of New Jersey.
D. 
A licensee may exercise all of the rights and privileges of his license during the hours permitted, subject to any restrictions and prohibitions of the State of New Jersey.
[Amended 7-28-1977 by Ord. No. MC-1236; 7-12-1979 by Ord. No. MC-1493; 4-23-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1731; 4-22-1982 by Ord. No. MC-1855]
A. 
Any lawfully licensed business entity is permitted to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages for consumption off the licensed premises in the original container at the times stated herein and in the manner provided herein:
(1) 
Malt alcohol, beer and wine shall be sold on weekdays and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. the following day and on Sundays between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.
(2) 
Distilled spirits, whiskey, liquor and any other item of alcoholic beverage not heretofore authorized shall be sold on weekdays during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Sundays between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
B. 
Any sale or service not made within the hours permitted herein is deemed to be a violation of this article, and the licensee shall be subject to any sanctions or punishment as prescribed by the ordinances of the City of Camden and/or the statutes of the State of New Jersey.
C. 
A licensee may exercise all of the rights and privileges of his license during the hours permitted, subject to any restrictions and prohibitions of the State of New Jersey.
[Added 7-28-1977 by Ord. No. MC-1236; amended 7-12-1979 by Ord. No. MC-1493]
Any licensee under this article who holds a plenary consumption license or club license and who, as a collateral activity on his premises, has amusements, entertainment or other activities sanctioned by law, whether licensed under the Code of the City of Camden or for which no license is needed, may continue those activities, entertainments or amusements to the hour of 3:00 a.m. as stated in this article, notwithstanding any provisions of any ordinance or ordinances of the City of Camden to the contrary.
[1]
Editor's Note: For related provisions, see Ch. 193, Arcades and Amusement Devices.
A licensee may sell or offer for sale at retail or sell to any consumer any alcoholic beverages in the City while a general, municipal, primary or special election is being held when the polls are open for voting at such election.
A. 
No licensee, or agent, servant or employee of said licensee, shall sell, serve, deliver or allow, permit or offer the service or delivery of any alcoholic beverage, directly or indirectly, to any person under the age of 21 years or allow, permit or suffer the consumption of alcoholic beverages by any such person upon the licensed premises.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years to:
(1) 
Enter any premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of purchasing or having served or delivered to him or her any alcoholic beverage.
(2) 
Consume any alcoholic beverage on premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
(3) 
Purchase, attempt to purchase or have another purchase for him or her any alcoholic beverage on any premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
(4) 
Misrepresent or misstate his or her age for the purpose of inducing any retail licensee or any employee of any retail licensee to sell, serve or deliver any alcoholic beverage to him or her.
[1]
Editor's Note: For related provisions, see Ch. 282, Curfew.
Curtains and screens at the windows and doors of all licensed places shall be so arranged that the interior of the place licensed shall be fully exposed to public view at all times, provided that this requirement shall not apply to hotels, clubs or fraternal organizations, unless the place of sale therein adjoins a public highway.
Every license shall be exposed to public view in a conspicuous place in the place licensed. Any omission so to do shall be presumptive evidence that the place where alcoholic beverages are being sold is unlicensed.
Any license issued pursuant to this article may be suspended or revoked for violation of any provision of this chapter or any provision of Title 33 of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A. 33:1-1 et seq.), and the amendments thereof and supplements thereto, or any of the rules and regulations of the State Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
[Amended 4-9-1987 by Ord. No. MC-2289; 10-12-2006 by Ord. No. MC-4234]
Unless otherwise provided in the chapter, penalties against persons violating the provisions of this article shall be imposed in accordance with the provisions of § 1-15.