How Tigard Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide

Tigard maintains 50 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 Tigard falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Juvenile Curfew

Tigard maintains a tiered juvenile curfew under Tigard Municipal Code Chapter 7.44 (Curfew Hours for Minors). For minors under 14, the curfew runs 9:15 p.m. to 6 a.m., extended to 10:15 p.m. on nights before a non-school day. For minors 14 or older, the curfew runs 10:15 p.m. to 6 a.m., extended to midnight on nights before a non-school day. The ordinance is enabled by ORS 419C.680. Violation by an adult who allows a minor to be out is a Class C misdemeanor.

Key details: Code Section: TMC Chapter 7.44. Under 14: 9:15 p.m. - 6 a.m. (10:15 p.m. night before non-school). Age 14-17: 10:15 p.m. - 6 a.m. (midnight night before non-school). Adult Penalty: Class C misdemeanor (TMC 7.44.020). State Authority: ORS 419C.680.

Curfew violations are enforced by Tigard Police. An officer may stop a minor who appears to be in violation, may take the minor into protective custody, and may release the minor to a parent, guardian, or authorized adult. The adult-responsibility provision in TMC 7.44.020 is a Class C misdemeanor (under Oregon's misdemeanor classification, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,250). The minor's own violation is handled as a juvenile civil infraction through Washington County juvenile services and may result in mandatory parent-child conferences or community service rather than a fine.

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

Park Curfew

Tigard does not set a single citywide park closing hour in code. Park rules are governed by TMC Chapter 7.52 (Park Property Use) and TMC Chapter 7.58 (Rules of Conduct on City Property), and specific closing hours for individual parks are posted on park signage by the Public Works Director. Minors in parks remain subject to the city's juvenile curfew under TMC Chapter 7.44 — 9:15 or 10:15 p.m. depending on age — regardless of the posted park-closing time.

Key details: Park Rules: TMC Chapter 7.52 (Park Property Use). City Property Conduct: TMC Chapter 7.58. Park Hours: Posted on park signage (not codified citywide). Minors Curfew in Parks: TMC 7.44 (9:15-10:15 p.m. by age). Max Fine (Park Rules): $500.

Park rule violations under TMC 7.52 are enforced by Tigard Police and Tigard Park Patrol staff, with a maximum fine of $500. Persons who repeatedly violate park rules may be excluded from city property under TMC 7.58. Minors in parks past the citywide juvenile curfew under TMC 7.44 are subject to that chapter's enforcement (police custody and release to parent/guardian, plus the adult Class C misdemeanor for permitting under TMC 7.44.020). Camping in city parks or other city property is separately prohibited under TMC's Prohibited Camping provisions.

The Bottom Line

Tigard'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 Tigard is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Tigard's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.