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Curfew Laws

How Virginia Beach Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Virginia Beach maintains 196 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 Virginia Beach falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Juvenile Curfew

Virginia Beach enforces a juvenile curfew under City Code §23-2. Unaccompanied minors under 18 are prohibited from being in public places during specified nighttime hours. Parents may be held liable for allowing violations.

Key details: Governing Code: City Code §23-2. School Nights: 11 PM to 5 AM (Sun-Thu). Weekends: Midnight to 5 AM (Fri-Sat). Age: Under 18. Resort Season: Strict enforcement.

Curfew violations may result in fines for both minors and parents. Minors may be detained and released to parents. Repeat violations may result in referral to juvenile court.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Virginia Beach actively enforces its juvenile curfew requirements.

Park Curfew

Virginia Beach city parks close at dusk (or posted closing times) and reopen at dawn. The Parks and Recreation Department enforces hours. Persons found in parks after closing may be cited for trespassing.

Key details: Default Hours: Dawn to dusk. Extended Hours: Some parks (e.g., Mount Trashmore). Oceanfront: Seasonal hours may vary. Vehicles: Ticketed/towed after hours.

Being in a park after closing is trespassing. Vehicles parked after hours may be ticketed and towed. Fines vary by offense.

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

The Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is tougher than many cities when it comes to curfew laws. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Virginia Beach, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Virginia Beach'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.