PODA
| Private Outdoor Designated Area (PODA) |
| In 2023, the West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 534, allowing cities to establish Private Outdoor Designated Areas (PODA). In 2025, the City of Wheeling adopted an ordinance to create its own PODA. During PODA operating hours, visitors can enjoy a to-go drink in an official PODA cup—a clear cup featuring the PODA logo—while exploring the Downtown and Centre Market areas. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
Below is an image of the signage displayed throughout the PODA district. To view a map of the PODA district, click here. |
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| PODA-Licensed Establishments |
| Coming Soon! |
| Rules and Regulations Businesses operating in Wheeling’s Private Outdoor Designated Areas (PODAs) must follow specific rules and guidelines to ensure compliance and seamless operations within these designated public spaces. Key regulations for participating businesses include: |
-Businesses may sell PODA beverages only on the days and during the hours authorized by the City. -Alcoholic beverages intended for off-premises consumption within the PODA must be served in approved PODA cups that feature the PODA logo. -Businesses can display designated decals in their windows to indicate whether PODA beverages are allowed. A blue decal signifies that PODA beverages are permitted and sold; a green decal indicates PODA drinks are allowed, but not sold, while a red decal indicates PODA drinks are not permitted. (See below.) -If you are a business (that does not sell alcohol) within the PODA district and would like to designate permission of PODA beverages in your establishment please click here. Decals are also available by contacting the City Clerk at City Clerk at (304) 234-6401 or via email at jessica.zalenski@wheelingwv.gov. -PODA cups are single use only. Patrons must visit a PODA-licensed establishment to purchase another beverage. -Any establishment with a valid Class A, Class B, or Class 2 license holder, as issued by the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner and operating within the PODA area, can apply to the City Manager for approval to participate in the program. The applicant must have a valid City and state business license and be in good standing with the City. -Patrons must adhere to the clearly marked PODA boundaries, as indicated by signage. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted only within the designated area when outside of a licensed restaurant/bar. -Empty containers from alcoholic beverages must be disposed of properly in public trash receptacles within the PODA area. -All patrons must follow federal, state, and local alcohol laws while in a PODA. Violations may lead to penalties or removal from the area. -The City Manager may, at any time, suspend the operation of a PODA or a portion thereof, when determined necessary in the interest of public safety or convenience, including but not limited to situation where a fair or festival is occurring in the PODA area which also serves alcoholic beverages. -For a permit application, visit https://www.wheelingwv.gov/departments/Economic-CommunityDevelopment. -Questions regarding Alcohol Beverage Control Administration licensing should be posed to the ABCA. -To view the City's ordinance, click here. |
| Decals to Look For |
| FAQs |
| What are the benefits of having PODA in Wheeling? Implementing a PODA could attract more visitors to restaurants and bars, extend their stay in the area, boost retail sales, and enhance the overall visitor experience. |
| How will I know where the PODA begins and ends? PODA boundaries are clearly marked with signs. Please follow pedestrian laws. All PODA beverages must remain within the designated area. Exiting the PODA with an alcoholic beverage violates open container laws. |
| Are PODA beverages permitted anywhere in the PODA district? PODA beverages in an approved PODA cup may be brought into businesses displaying the official blue ‘PODA Beverages Sold Here’ decal or the green ‘PODA Beverages Welcome Here’ decal. However, PODA cups and beverages must be discarded before exiting the PODA or entering any business displaying the red ‘PODA Beverages Not Permitted Here’ decal or one without official PODA signage. |
| Can I bring my own cup into the PODA? No. Beverages must be served in an approved PODA cup purchased from a licensed participating PODA establishment. |
| Can I bring my own alcohol into the PODA? No. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased from a licensed participating PODA establishment and served in an approved PODA cup. |
| What if I want to host a fair, festival, or special event in the PODA? Please contact the City Manager’s Office at (304) 234-3617. |
