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Curfew Laws

How Fort Wayne Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Fort Wayne maintains 96 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 Fort Wayne falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Juvenile Curfew

Fort Wayne bars minors from public places during set night hours: 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weeknights and 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends for ages 15-17, and 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. every night for kids under 15.

Key details: Ages 15-17 weeknight curfew: 11 p.m.-5 a.m.. Ages 15-17 weekend curfew: 1 a.m.-5 a.m.. Under-15 curfew: 11 p.m.-5 a.m. nightly. Max fine (Ch. 130 default): $2,500. Detention standard: officer must reasonably believe violation occurred.

No curfew-specific fine is listed; general Chapter 130 penalty applies, up to $2,500 per violation, with each day of continued violation a separate offense under § 130.99.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Wayne actively enforces its juvenile curfew requirements.

Park Curfew

Fort Wayne parks and playgrounds close to the public between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., and staying past closing or entering after the park is closed is a code violation.

Key details: Open hours: 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.. Enforced by: Parks and Recreation Department. Closure authority: Department or Mayor. Max fine: $2,500 per offense.

General penalty under § 97.99: up to $2,500 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense; vehicle impoundment is also authorized.

The Bottom Line

Fort Wayne'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 Fort Wayne is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Fort Wayne 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.