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Curfew Laws

Buffalo's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Buffalo, New York, 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.

Juvenile Curfew

Minors age 16 and younger are prohibited from loitering or being in public places between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on weeknights and between midnight and 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights; parents face escalating fines for violations.

Key details: Covered age group: Minors 16 and younger. Weeknight curfew hours: 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.. Weekend curfew hours: Midnight (Fri/Sat) to 5:00 a.m.. First violation penalty (parent/guardian): Warning citation. Second violation penalty: Fine up to $25.

Parents or guardians face: warning citation (first violation), fine up to $25 (second), fine up to $100 (third), fine up to $200 (fourth and subsequent violations).

Park Curfew

City parks, playgrounds, and public school grounds are closed nightly from sunset to sunrise; major parks close at 10 p.m. Violation is punishable by a fine of $52.50.

Key details: General park curfew: Sunset to sunrise. Major park curfew: 10:00 p.m. to sunrise (Cazenovia, Delaware, Front, LaSalle, MLK Jr., Riverside, South Parks). 24-hour parks: LaSalle Park, Broderick Park, foot of Ontario St., foot of Hertel Ave. (fishing only). Violation fine: $52.50 (Class C).

Violation is a Class C fine of $52.50 in addition to any other penalty under the Code of the City of Buffalo or other applicable law.

The Bottom Line

Buffalo'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 Buffalo is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Buffalo's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.