Appleton's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Appleton, Wisconsin, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Park Curfew

Appleton parks and Special Use Areas close to the public between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. under Section 13-6 of the Municipal Code, though trails stay open 24 hours daily. The Parks and Recreation Director can adjust hours seasonally or for safety, and violators face a forfeiture and possible removal from the park.

Key details: Default park hours: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Trails exemption: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Overnight vehicle ban: No parking 11 p.m.-5 a.m. (§13-10). Director's authority: Can close parks for safety or construction. Penalty: Forfeiture under §1-16 plus possible eviction.

Section 13-6(e) subjects anyone violating the park hours rule to a forfeiture under Section 1-16, Appleton's general penalty ($1 to $200 for a first offense, $10 to $500 for a repeat), and to the eviction procedure in Section 13-11. An evicted person receives written notice of the eviction's duration and area from the Director or the Appleton Police Department, and may appeal to the Director in writing within 21 calendar days.

Juvenile Curfew

Appleton bars anyone under 18 from loitering in public streets, parks, playgrounds, school grounds and licensed alcohol premises between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, unless with a parent or guardian, under Municipal Code § 10-36.

Key details: Weeknight hours: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Weekend hours: 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Age: Applies to anyone under 18. Exception: Parent or guardian presence only. Parental liability: Parents can be cited for allowing violations.

A minor cited for violating curfew is penalized under the schedule set in § 1-18(b), the City's deposit schedule on file with the City Clerk, rather than the Code's default forfeiture range. A parent, guardian or custodian who allows the violation is cited under the general penalty in § 1-16, a $1 to $200 forfeiture for a first offense and $10 to $500 for a repeat offense.

The Bottom Line

Appleton's curfew laws rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Appleton is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Appleton can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.