How Madison Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide

Madison maintains 204 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 Madison falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Juvenile Curfew

Madison enforces a juvenile curfew under MGO 25.07. Minors under 17 are prohibited from being in public places between 11 PM and 5 AM Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 5 AM Friday and Saturday, with exceptions for work and parental accompaniment.

Key details: Age: Under 17. Sun-Thu: 11 PM to 5 AM. Fri-Sat: Midnight to 5 AM. Exceptions: Work, parent, emergency. Code: MGO 25.07.

Curfew violations result in citations for the minor and potentially the parent, with fines and possible referral to juvenile services.

Compared to other cities, Madison takes a harder line on juvenile curfew. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Park Curfew

Madison public parks are generally closed from 10 PM to 4 AM under MGO 8.16 Parks Rules. Entering or remaining in a park after hours without a permit is prohibited. Lake access and bike paths have separate rules.

Key details: Park Hours: Closed 10 PM to 4 AM. Code: MGO 8.16. Permits: Required for after-hours. Camping: Designated sites only. Alcohol: Permit required.

After-hours park use without permit results in citations under MGO 8.16 and possible trespass enforcement.

The Bottom Line

Madison'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 Madison is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Madison 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.