Curfew Laws in Tempe, AZ

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

Park Curfew

Tempe closes every city park, playground and golf course to the public between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. under Section 23-36 of the City Code, unless a park is posted otherwise. Parks with working area or athletic lighting stay open until midnight instead, and being on the grounds during closed hours requires written permission from the Community Services Director's designee.

Key details: Curfew hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Lit-facility exception: Extended to 12:00 midnight. Civil fine range: $100 to $1,000 per citation. Habitual offender: 3 violations in 24 months = misdemeanor. Enforcing dept: Community Services Dept. / Tempe Police.

A first violation of the park curfew is a civil citation, not a crime: Section 23-84 sets the fine between $100 and $1,000, with an added $50 penalty for missing the court date. Three separate findings of responsibility within 24 months trigger criminal habitual-offender charges under Section 23-87, prosecuted as a misdemeanor in Tempe Municipal Court.

Juvenile Curfew

Tempe City Code Sec. 22-8 bars minors under 16 from public places between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and 16- to 17-year-olds between midnight and 5 a.m., unless a listed exception applies. Parents or guardians who knowingly allow a violation, or who refuse to retrieve a detained minor, are separately liable.

Key details: Under-16 curfew: 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.. Ages 16-17 curfew: 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.. Parent liability: Knowing or negligent permission is a separate offense. Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor, incorrigible-offense designation. Defenses: 8 listed, incl. work, school, emergencies, First Amendment activity.

Being a minor under 16 in public between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., or 16-17 between midnight and 5 a.m., without a listed defense is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Sec. 22-8(f), also flagged as an incorrigible offense in juvenile court. Parents who knowingly permit the violation or refuse to retrieve an arrested minor are separately liable, and each violation counts as a distinct offense.

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

The Bottom Line

Tempe'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 Tempe is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Tempe's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.