Quantitative controls on the number and/or location of alcohol retail outlets: an overview of approaches in the USA and Canada

Abstract

Background Regulatory approaches to alcohol availability vary widely, yet policies that control the number or location of alcohol retail outlets remain under-documented. This study aimed to identify and describe these approaches across jurisdictions in the USA and Canada. Methods A two-stage document analysis was conducted for all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and three Canadian territories (jurisdictions). Relevant legislative documents were identified and reviewed, with data extracted on policies establishing quantitative thresholds on either total outlet numbers (including outright prohibition), outlets numbers per population, distances between alcohol retail outlets, or distances between alcohol retail outlets and sensitive locations such as schools. Data collection took place between March and May 2024. Results Among 63 jurisdictions, 56 (88.9 %) used at least one approach to limiting the number and/or location of alcohol retail outlets, with 39 (61.9 %) using two or more. The most common approach (63.5 % of jurisdictions) was limiting minimum distances between outlets and specific locations, such as schools or places-of-worship. Population-based limits on outlet density were used by 44.4 % of jurisdictions, but thresholds varied substantially, (e.g. from 1.36 to 200 outlets per 100,000 population for on-sales, and 5.00 to 200 per 100,000 population for off-sales). Nearly half of all jurisdictions (47.6 %) had at least one dry county or area, while a smaller proportion (17.5 %) set minimum distances between outlets to prevent clustering. Fixed caps on the absolute number of outlets, regardless of population size, were least common (12.7 %). Conclusion Quantitative controls on the number and/or location of alcohol retail outlets are widely used across the USA and Canada but vary significantly in structure and stringency. While some jurisdictions impose multiple controls, others apply none. Understanding these policy approaches provides insight into regulatory frameworks but does not indicate enforcement levels or public health impact. Further research could examine how these measures are implemented and whether different models influence alcohol availability.