How Clarksville Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide

Clarksville maintains 90 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with curfew laws. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Clarksville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Juvenile Curfew

Clarksville bars anyone 15 or younger from loitering, wandering, or playing in public streets, parks, or other unsupervised public places between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Minors 16 and 17 get a shorter window, 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Both age bands are excused when a parent or guardian is present, or the minor is on an emergency errand, married, or in the armed services.

Key details: Section: §§ 10-205, 10-206. Ages 15 & under: 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Ages 16-17: 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Exceptions: parent present, errand, married, military. Parent liability: separate offense under § 10-206.

Violating curfew is a Title 10 offense; a parent or guardian who knowingly lets a minor break it commits a separate offense under § 10-206. Clarksville police officers and city-employed security officers can issue citations for Title 10 offenses committed on city property under § 10-102, though the curfew sections themselves do not print a fixed dollar fine.

Park Curfew

Clarksville sets no single citywide park closing time. Section 12-506 gives the parks and recreation director authority to set opening and closing hours, posted at each park entrance. McGregor Park closes at midnight by ordinance.

Key details: Citywide closing time: None fixed in code. Who sets hours: Parks and recreation director. Where hours appear: Posted at park entrances. McGregor Park closes: 12:00 midnight. After-hours vehicles: Towed at owner's expense.

Vehicles left in a park after closing are towed at the owner's expense. Curfew and park offenses are prosecuted in Clarksville city court.

The Bottom Line

Clarksville'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 Clarksville is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Clarksville's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.