Goodyear's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Goodyear, Arizona, 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

Goodyear's public parks close to the public between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. under City Code Section 11-1-19. Permitted special events and city-sanctioned league games get a limited half-hour grace period, but park lighting shuts off during closure and signs must post the hours at every park.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Section 11-1-19. Closure hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Event grace period: Until 10:30 p.m. with a permit. Lighting rule: Extinguished during closure. Adopted: Ord. 02-779 (2002); amended Ord. 02-802.

Entering or remaining in a Goodyear public park after 10:00 p.m. (or after the 10:30 p.m. grace period for permitted events and league games) without qualifying under one of the Section 11-1-19(B) exceptions is a citable offense. A police officer can issue a citation to anyone found in a park during closed hours who does not fall within the special-event or league-game exceptions.

Juvenile Curfew

Goodyear bars minors under 16 from being out in public away from home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and minors 16 or older between midnight and 5 a.m., under City Code § 11-1-7. Parents and guardians who knowingly allow a curfew violation are cited too. Seven specific defenses cover situations like work, supervised events, emergencies and travel with a parent's permission.

Key details: Under-16 curfew: 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.. 16-17 curfew: 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.. Parent liability: Knowing/insufficient-control violations cited too. Defenses: 7 listed, incl. work, emergencies, 1st Amendment. Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor, juvenile court.

Each curfew violation under subsections (B)(1) through (3) is charged as a separate offense, and a conviction is a class 1 misdemeanor, per § 11-1-7(E). The code specifically designates a curfew conviction an incorrigible offense for minors, which places the case under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court rather than adult municipal proceedings.

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

The Bottom Line

Goodyear'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 Goodyear is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Goodyear's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.