St. Paul makes it a crime to host party where minors drink

It's the latest city to pass such an ordinance, making it a misdemeanor to give young people a place to drink alcohol. The rule will take effect in about a month.

By CHRIS HAVENS, Star Tribune

Last update: October 14, 2009 - 10:42 PM

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In about a month, a new ordinance making it a misdemeanor to host an event where minors are drinking will take effect in St. Paul.

The City Council unanimously approved the social host ordinance Wednesday.

The ordinance makes it a crime for anyone to host an event at a public or private place where there's alcohol and steps aren't taken to prevent minors from possessing or drinking it.

St. Paul joins at least 30 other cities and counties in Minnesota that have some kind of social host law.

The legal drinking age is 21, and state law makes it a crime to furnish alcohol to minors, but it doesn't prohibit adults from giving young people a place to drink.

Council Member Russ Stark sponsored the ordinance, and it was prompted by neighborhood complaints of disturbances from underage and excessive drinking.

In 2008, the city attorney's office handled 425 cases of underage consumption.

The ordinance does not apply to landlords, mortgagees, colleges and universities, or hotel or motel owners who don't actually participate in hosting an event. Other exceptions allow parents to let their children drink in their homes or at legally protected religious observances.

Chicken ordinance scratched

In other council action Wednesday, a proposed ordinance that would have made it easier for residents to own three or fewer hens couldn't get off the ground.

The council voted 4-3 against the proposal, which was brought forward by Stark upon the request of some constituents.

There has been a trend across the country of people wanting to raise chickens for eggs.

Chickens have been allowed in St. Paul for a while, but owners must get a license and the consent of their neighbors. Prospective chicken-keepers need approval of 75 percent of neighbors who live within 150 feet of their property.

The proposed ordinance would have eliminated the consent requirement for three or fewer hens.

Council members Stark, Melvin Carter III and Dave Thune supported the change.

"Chickens really are very good pets," Thune said. "I know how quiet they are, how easy they are to maintain and the eggs are very tasty."

That might be, but the remaining council members didn't like the idea of taking away the voice of neighbors who don't want to live by chickens.

"I don't think the requirements are onerous," said Council President Kathy Lantry.

The council did approve reducing the license fee for keeping three or fewer chickens, from $72 to $25.

Chris Havens • 612-673-4148

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