How San Rafael Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide
San Rafael maintains 129 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 San Rafael falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Park Curfew
San Rafael Municipal Code § 19.20.070.B closes every city park and building between sunset and sunrise. Outside four listed exceptions, no one may enter, remain in, cross, or use any park or building during those hours, and the city manager may exclude anyone at any time to protect public property, health, safety, or the peace.
Key details: Default hours: Sunrise to sunset, § 19.20.070.B. After-hours entry: Unlawful without a listed exception. City manager power: May exclude anyone at any time. Permit holders: May stay past hours if permit allows. Lighted areas: Open only under posted conditions.
Entering, remaining in, or using a park or building after sunset without an exception violates § 19.20.070.B, which § 19.20.110 classifies as a public nuisance under Chapter 19.20 and routes to enforcement under Code Enforcement Chapters 1.40, 1.42, 1.44, and 1.46. Section 19.20.100 gives any code enforcement official defined at § 1.08.020 authority to enforce the curfew, and ignoring posted lighted-hours conditions under § 19.20.070.B.1.d is a separate violation of the same subsection.
Juvenile Curfew
San Rafael bans anyone under 18 from public streets, parks or squares between 11 p.m. and daylight under SRMC §8.08.010, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian; violating minors and adults who enable it both face misdemeanor charges.
Key details: Curfew hours: 11 p.m. to daylight. Applies to: Anyone under 18. Exception: Accompanied by parent/guardian. Minor's penalty: Misdemeanor, §8.08.060. Adult enabler penalty: Misdemeanor, §8.08.020.
Being out after curfew is a misdemeanor for the minor under §8.08.060; an adult who knowingly permits or assists a minor's violation is also guilty of a misdemeanor under §8.08.020.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. San Rafael actively enforces its juvenile curfew requirements.
The Bottom Line
San Rafael'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 San Rafael is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from San Rafael's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.