Studies over the past 20 years demonstrate an association between community settings for alcohol availability and alcohol problems. It has generally been found that the communities have a greater capacity to control alcohol availability than may have been previously realized. Community programs on alcohol availability can develop in three basic areas: extent to which community groups and agencies view alcohol availability as problematic; extent to which local agencies and groups create local capacity to use their own local planning resources for prevention; and extent to which emergent policy can overcome resistance to making changes in the alcohol environment. Based on the experience of several California communities, the following suggestions are offered to assist local prevention planning for alcohol availability: use a workable model for introducing profound change in the community settings; focus planning on eliminating or reducing high-risk settings; encourage participation by local groups and agencies; use expert consultants and involve the alcoholic beverage industry; use research information about community settings and associated problems; employ a clearly defined planning process when designing community policies and settings for alcohol availability; and create an infrastructure for prevention implementation and maintenance. Future prospects for community-level alcohol prevention planning are discussed. 33 references