How Scottsdale Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide

Scottsdale maintains 134 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 Scottsdale falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Park Curfew

Scottsdale city parks, including their parking areas, are open only from sunrise until 10:30 p.m. under Sec. 20-35, unless a city permit or the general manager authorizes different hours. Being on park premises outside those hours independently violates Sec. 20-31(b)(12) and is punishable as a class 2 misdemeanor.

Key details: Park hours: Sunrise to 10:30 p.m.. Governing section: Sec. 20-35. After-hours presence ban: Sec. 20-31(b)(12). Penalty: Class 2 misdemeanor, Sec. 20-37(b). Extension options: City permit or general manager authorization.

Sec. 20-37(b) classifies a violation of subsections (b)(2) through (b)(22) of Sec. 20-31, which includes the after-hours presence rule in (b)(12), as a class 2 misdemeanor punishable under state law. Leaving unauthorized apparatus or equipment in a park past the 8:30 a.m. removal deadline under Sec. 20-36 additionally jeopardizes future permit approvals.

Juvenile Curfew

Scottsdale bars minors under sixteen from public places away from home between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., and bars sixteen and seventeen year olds between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Parents who knowingly allow a violation face the same class 1 misdemeanor charge as an adult offender.

Key details: Under-16 curfew: 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.. 16-17 year old curfew: Midnight to 5:00 a.m.. Adult penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor. Defenses listed: 8 specific exceptions, Sec. 19-11.2. Enforcing check: Officer must assess age and reason first.

An adult, including a parent or guardian who knowingly permits or fails to prevent a minor's curfew violation, is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, with each incident charged as a separate offense (Sec. 19-11.1). Arizona law caps how curfew ordinances may punish minors themselves (A.R.S. § 8-241), and the minor's conduct is treated as an incorrigible offense referred to juvenile court rather than adult criminal court.

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

The Bottom Line

Scottsdale'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 Scottsdale is broadly strict or permissive.

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