ANNISTON– The City of Anniston is once again accepting applications for qualifying alcohol licenses following the expiration of its six-month moratorium on new bar and tavern licenses.

The application process resumes as new operating standards take effect for certain businesses that primarily serve alcohol.

The Anniston City Council adopted Ordinance No. 26-O-6 during its July 21 meeting. The ordinance applies to licensed businesses that receive at least 51 percent of their gross revenue from alcoholic beverages sold for consumption on the premises.

City officials said the regulations are intended to improve public safety, protect surrounding neighborhoods and businesses, and establish consistent operating standards. The ordinance also encourages the responsible operation of licensed establishments.

Security Personnel and Surveillance

The ordinance requires security personnel at qualifying businesses that remain open after 10 p.m., have an occupancy of more than 100 people, or provide entertainment.

Security cameras must cover the establishment’s entrances and exits, parking lots, bar service areas, and primary customer areas. Businesses must retain the video recordings for at least 30 days.

These requirements are designed to provide additional oversight in areas where customers gather and where violent or disruptive incidents could occur.

Violent Incidents Must Be Reported

Qualifying businesses must immediately notify the Anniston Police Department following certain violent incidents.

The reporting requirement includes assaults, fights, robberies, weapons violations, shots fired, and other violent criminal activity.

Businesses must also submit a written incident report within 24 hours. The reporting process is intended to give police prompt information while creating a formal record of serious activity at an establishment.

Annual Safety Plans Required for Certain Businesses

Establishments that operate after midnight or provide entertainment must submit an annual safety plan to the Anniston police chief.

Each plan must address the business’s occupancy levels, security procedures, crowd-management practices, emergency procedures, incident-reporting process, and management contacts.

The plans are intended to prepare establishments for emergencies and clearly identify who is responsible for responding when problems occur.

Operating and Property Standards

The ordinance establishes several requirements for the daily operation of qualifying businesses.

Establishments must prevent overcrowding and display their approved occupancy limits. Employees and managers must also follow those limits.

Parking lots and entrances must remain adequately illuminated. Businesses must remove intoxicated people, maintain orderly premises, and take steps to prevent criminal activity.

The ordinance also makes businesses responsible for preventing excessive amplified music, loitering, fighting, disorderly conduct, and illegal parking.

Those responsibilities extend to disturbances on adjacent sidewalks and parking areas under the establishment’s control.

Age Restrictions After 9 P.M.

Unless otherwise permitted under Alabama law, people younger than 21 may not remain on the premises after 9 p.m.

The city included the age restriction among the ordinance’s broader safety and operating requirements.

Process for Chronic Public Nuisances

The ordinance establishes a process for addressing businesses that become chronic public nuisances through repeated violations.

Possible actions include a public warning, additional operating requirements, reduced operating hours, and other operational restrictions.

More serious or continuing violations could result in the suspension or revocation of a business license.

However, the ordinance preserves due-process protections for affected businesses. An establishment has the right to request a public hearing before the Anniston City Council before the city takes certain actions.

The new regulations will govern qualifying businesses as Anniston resumes accepting alcohol license applications following the six-month pause. City officials said the goal is to allow responsible businesses to operate while protecting customers, neighboring properties, and the surrounding community.