Long Beach's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Long Beach, California, 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
Long Beach closes every public park, beach, public building, amphitheater and plaza between 10:00 p.m. and one hour before sunrise under LBMC § 16.16.010(K). The Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine, working with the Chief of Police, may temporarily shift closing hours for public safety, and permitted events or overnight-permitted vehicles are excused.
Key details: Curfew hours: 10:00 p.m. to 1 hour before sunrise. Applies to: parks, beaches, buildings, plazas, amphitheaters. Enforcing agency: Parks, Recreation & Marine with Police. July 4th closure: midnight to 1 hour before sunrise. Wet-sand exception: walking/jogging/fishing allowed until midnight.
Chapter 16.16 carries no stand-alone penalty, so violations fall under the Municipal Code's general penalty, LBMC § 1.32.010: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in County or City jail, unless the City Prosecutor elects to charge it as an infraction, still punishable by up to $1,000. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
Juvenile Curfew
Long Beach bans minors under 18 from public places between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. under Municipal Code § 9.58.010, with a separate daytime curfew of 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on school days under § 9.58.020. Nine exceptions cover parental accompaniment, work, school activities and emergencies. Police must ask age and reason before citing.
Key details: Nighttime curfew: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., minors under 18. Daytime school curfew: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on school days (§9.58.020). Enforcing agency: Long Beach Police Department. Officer duty before citing: Must ask age and reason first. Penalty: Up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail.
A curfew violation is prosecuted under the Code's general penalty, Section 1.32.010: a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, unless the City Prosecutor exercises discretion to charge it as an infraction, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 without jail time. Each night a minor remains out past curfew is treated as a separate offense.
This is one of the stricter rules in Long Beach's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
The Bottom Line
Long Beach'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 Long Beach is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Long Beach'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.