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Curfew Laws

Lincoln's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Lincoln, Nebraska, 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.

Juvenile Curfew

Lincoln enforces a juvenile curfew ordinance. Minors under 18 must be off public streets between midnight and 6:00 AM. Exceptions apply for minors accompanied by a parent, attending supervised activities, traveling to or from work, or in cases of emergency. Parents may be cited for allowing violations. The curfew is enforced by the Lincoln Police Department.

Key details: Age: Under 18 years old. Curfew Hours: Midnight to 6:00 AM. Exceptions: With parent, work, supervised activities, emergencies. Parent Liability: Parents may be cited. Enforcement: Lincoln Police Department.

First offense: warning and parental notification. Repeat: $50 to $500 fine to parents. Habitual violations: referral to juvenile court.

Park Curfew

Lincoln city parks are generally closed from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM unless otherwise posted. The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department enforces park hours. After-hours use requires a special permit. Violators may be cited for trespassing. Some parks and trails may have different posted hours.

Key details: Standard Hours: Open until 11:00 PM; closed until 5:00 AM. After Hours: Requires special permit. Enforcement: Parks and Recreation, police. Violation: Trespassing citation.

After-hours trespassing: $50 to $250 citation. Unauthorized camping: $100 to $500. Vandalism during closed hours: criminal charges.

The Bottom Line

Lincoln'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 Lincoln is broadly strict or permissive.

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