Boise's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Boise, Idaho, 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

Boise city parks are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Entering or remaining in a park after closing is banned, except for permitted events or simply passing through.

Key details: Hours: Sunrise to sunset, every day. After hours: Entry/stay banned except transit or permit. Who sets exceptions: Mayor by proclamation, Director for closures. Penalty: Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 and/or 6 months.

Being in a Boise park during closed hours without a permit is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both.

Juvenile Curfew

Boise bans anyone under 18 from public places, parked or moving vehicles in public, and business premises between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless a listed exception applies. Officers must check for an exception before citing, and the minor's own violation is only an infraction, not a crime.

Key details: Curfew hours: 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m.. Covered persons: Anyone under age 18. Exceptions: 8 listed, incl. parent, work, First Amendment. Minor's penalty: Infraction under § 1-4-2. Parent/operator/owner penalty: Misdemeanor under § 1-4-1.

A minor's own curfew violation under section 5-5-2-2(A) is an infraction, punishable under section 1-4-2, a citation-based offense. Every other violation of the chapter, including a parent's, guardian's, establishment operator's or vehicle owner's/operator's knowing permission of a violation, falls under the chapter's general penalty in section 5-5-2-4: a misdemeanor punishable under section 1-4-1, since only the minor's own conduct is specified otherwise. Officers must first rule out an applicable exception under section 5-5-2-3 before enforcing.

This is one of the stricter rules in Boise's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Boise'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 Boise is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Boise 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.