Burlington's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Burlington, 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

Burlington City Code § 234-2A closes municipal parks from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily. Anyone in a City park during those hours violates the ordinance unless the Park Board or the Supervisor of Streets and Parks has issued a special-occasion permit allowing after-hours use.

Key details: Curfew hours: 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily. Exception: Special-occasion permit from Park Board. Exempt area: Adjacent municipal parking lots. Notification: Police Dept notified in writing. Penalty: Ch.1 §1-4 forfeiture, $5-$500 first offense.

Being in a City park after 10:00 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m. without a Park Board or Streets and Parks permit is a violation of § 234-2A. Section 234-5 subjects the violation to the Chapter 1, § 1-4 general forfeiture: five to five hundred dollars for a first offense and ten to one thousand dollars for a repeat offense within a year, plus prosecution costs.

Juvenile Curfew

Burlington bars anyone under 18 from City streets, parks and public grounds between 10:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between midnight and 5:00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and nights before legal holidays, unless a parent or guardian is present.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 211-1. Sun-Thu curfew: 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.. Fri/Sat/pre-holiday curfew: Midnight to 5:00 a.m.. Covered age: Under 18 years. Parent liability: Knowingly permitting violation, § 211-1C.

A minor violating curfew, and a parent or guardian who knowingly permits it, are each subject to the general Municipal Code penalty under § 1-4: a forfeiture of $5 to $500 plus prosecution costs for a first offense, rising to $10 to $1,000 for a second offense within one year, with unpaid forfeitures convertible to county jail time up to 90 days. Because juveniles are involved, § 1-4D separately authorizes the Municipal Court to impose the alternative juvenile dispositions and sanctions listed in Wis. Stat. §§ 938.342 through 938.344 instead of a straight forfeiture.

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

The Bottom Line

Burlington'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 Burlington is broadly strict or permissive.

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