How Hendersonville Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide
Hendersonville maintains 111 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 Hendersonville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Juvenile Curfew
Hendersonville bars anyone under eighteen from being 'abroad at night after 12:00 a.m.' under Municipal Code § 11-804, unless the minor is on a legitimate errand for, or accompanied by, a parent, guardian, or other adult with lawful custody. Adopted in March 1970, the ordinance sets no separate hour for younger children and lists no exceptions beyond the errand and adult-supervision carve-out.
Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 11-804. Covered ages: Under 18. Curfew starts: 12:00 a.m. (midnight). Exceptions: Legitimate errand or adult accompaniment. Maximum fine: $50 + $175 court costs.
A minor found abroad after midnight without a qualifying errand or an accompanying parent, guardian, or custodian can be cited under § 11-804. As with other Title 11 offenses, the fine is capped at $50 under § 3-302(1)(a), and the City Judge must add $175 in court costs under § 3-302(2)(a) in every case heard, for total exposure near $225.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Hendersonville actively enforces its juvenile curfew requirements.
Park Curfew
Hendersonville closes its parks overnight: Section 20-503(21) bars anyone from remaining in a city park between 11 p.m. and half an hour before sunrise without the Board of Parks and Recreation's permission, and the board can set different, even earlier, closing times park by park.
Key details: Closing time: 11:00 p.m. nightly. Reopening time: 30 minutes before sunrise. Board discretion: Can set earlier hours per park. Covered areas: Parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, pools, beaches. Enforcement: Police officers and park employees.
Remaining in a Hendersonville park after the posted closing time without the board's permission violates Section 20-503(21), and Section 20-503(5)(a) separately makes it a violation to disobey a Police Officer's or Park Employee's lawful order to leave; the Hendersonville Police Department and Sumner County officers enforce the closing hour on regular patrol.
The Bottom Line
Hendersonville'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 Hendersonville is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Hendersonville'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.