Curfew Laws in Pasadena, CA

If you live in Pasadena or are thinking about moving there, curfew laws are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Pasadena has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of curfew laws, and some of them might surprise you.

Park Curfew

Pasadena parks close to loitering between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. citywide, and three Arroyo Seco parks close from dusk to dawn instead. Municipal Code Section 3.24.110.A.23 bars remaining in the Lower Arroyo, Hahamongna Watershed Park or Viña Vieja Park after dark, and bars loitering in any other city park overnight.

Key details: Citywide park hours: No loitering 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Arroyo parks: Lower Arroyo, Hahamongna, Viña Vieja closed dusk to dawn. Exception: Permission from the person in charge of the park. Penalty: Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail. Governing section: Municipal Code § 3.24.110.A.23.

Loitering or remaining in a Pasadena park after the posted hours is a violation of Section 3.24.110 and, absent a specific infraction designation for that subsection, is prosecutable as a misdemeanor under the code's general penalty, Section 1.24.020: a fine of up to $1,000, up to 6 months in jail, or both. Repeat contacts in the Lower Arroyo, Hahamongna or Viña Vieja after dusk draw the same exposure as violations elsewhere in the park system.

This is one of the stricter rules in Pasadena's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Juvenile Curfew

Pasadena bars minors from public streets, parks, and other public places between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise under a nighttime curfew, and during school hours, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on school days, under a daytime curfew, both set by Municipal Code Section 9.68.010. Ten exceptions cover work, errands, emergencies, and constitutional activity.

Key details: Nighttime curfew: 10:00 p.m. to sunrise, all minors. Daytime curfew: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. school days, school-age minors. Penalty: Infraction, fine up to $500. Exceptions: 10 listed, incl. work, emergency, First Amendment activity. Governing section: Municipal Code Section 9.68.010.

Violating either curfew is an infraction under Section 9.68.020, punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00. A minor cited under this chapter may instead request that a petition be filed under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 601 or 602. Officers must ask the minor's age and reason for being out and may cite only if none of the ten exceptions in Section 9.68.010.C apply.

The Bottom Line

Pasadena'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 Pasadena is broadly strict or permissive.

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