Business Announcements
Attention Bars open 12am-2am: Drink Spiking Ordinance Information
If your business sells alcohol between the hours of 12 am - 2 am, your business may be impacted by a City of Tempe Drink Spiking Prevention Ordinance that is currently under consideration by the Tempe City Council. On February 5, the proposed ordinance will go to a vote by the City Council. The ordinance will make it mandatory to provide drink spiking test kits to your patrons upon request (you can give them away for free, or you can charge for them).
How to Share Your Opinion Before February 5:
- Easiest: Email councilcommunicator@tempe.gov and express your feelings about the proposed ordinance. It will reach all Councilmembers (including Mayor) + their staff.
- Better: Submit a comment card 2 hours before the Regular Council Meetings on February 5, to attend the meetings virtually and have up to 3 minutes to speak: https://www.tempe.gov/government/city-clerk-s-office/city-council-online-meeting-comment-card
- Best: Attend the meetings in person and submit a card in person to speak: 6 pm on February 5, 2026 at Council Chambers, 31 E. 5th Street, Tempe, AZ 85821.
Summary of proposed ordinance (subject to change before February 5)
- If you sell alcohol between hours of 12 am - 2 am, you must provide a drink spiking test (of your choice) to patrons upon request. Tests can be given free, or you can charge up to 150% of your cost to the patron. You must also post a sign in your establishment.
- You must keep an inventory of test kits on hand to service your customers (you determine the amount), but must have a minimum of 10.
- You shall permit patrons to bring in their own clean, empty beverage container with a secure lid. They can then pour the drink you lawfully provide in your container into their own secure container. (THIS MAY BE REMOVED from proposed ordinance)
- You can have a Certified Drink Spiking Prevention Program (see page 7, Section 26-71 b on attachment) and receive an incentive in the form of a tax rebate for city liquor license fee (25%) if you fulfill the requirements listed under the certified program.
- See the bottom of page 7 and page 8 for details on penalties for noncompliance, liability and exemptions (subject to change).
A supply of donated test kits may be available for the initial roll out of the proposed ordinance.
Tempe Refresh & Mill Ave Streetscape
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Downtown Tempe Business Resources:
- Business Kit - whether you are new or old, this information is pertinent to understanding more about Downtown Tempe and how DTA can support your business.
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- Tempe Pledge for a Sustainable Community (Tempe Chamber of Commerce) - By taking the Pledge you are joining an ever growing community of businesses who are committed to – and taking steps towards – reducing your environmental footprint. Sustainability helps businesses manage resources and cut costs.
- Donate your excess perishable food through MealConnect, Waste Not's food rescue initiative. Simply post your food donation online and MealConnect will automatically pair your donation with a recipient agency and a volunteer driver, who takes care of pick up and delivery. Visit mealconnect.org/donate
- Local First Arizona Arizona Green Business Program - a consulting and certification process that delivers strategies to reduce your company’s impact and give your business the recognition it deserves. This program is suitable for businesses just starting to make changes, as well as those that are looking to take their sustainability efforts to the next level. Focusing on seven key areas of sustainability, the program provides your business with a custom toolkit full of best practices and ideas that can positively affect your bottom line.
- Commercial Kitchens Water Use Efficiency and Best Practices Guide
Downtown Tempe Authority is committed to incorporating sustainability initiatives as much as we possibly can into our office at Hayden House, our operations, events, and management of the public space in the downtown district. We have taken the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Pledge for a Sustainable Community, participated in Local First Arizona's project planning program SCALE UP and we are certified as a Local First Arizona Certified Green Business. It is a journey with still much to do, but we are dedicated to implementing green practices in an effort to modify our environmental impact and create a more resilient downtown community.
Partner Organizations & Resources
- Tempe Chamber of Commerce
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- Local First Arizona
- Google's Indigenous Expansion Toolkit - help for Indigenous-owned businesses in digital skills and unlock new opportunities for growth.
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- Arizona Microcredit Initiative - 501(c)(3) offering free business consulting, workshops and microloans.
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