How Winston-Salem Handles Curfew Laws: A Practical Guide

Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Juvenile Curfew

Winston-Salem enforces a juvenile curfew under Code Chapter 38. Minors under 16 cannot be in public places from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6:00 AM Friday and Saturday. Parents can be fined for violations.

Key details: Age: Under 16. Weeknight Curfew: 11 PM to 6 AM. Weekend Curfew: Midnight to 6 AM. Parent Fine: Up to $100. Code: Chapter 38.

First parental offense: warning. Second: $50. Third and subsequent: $100 each. Commercial establishments that knowingly harbor curfew violators can face $250 per-incident penalties.

Park Curfew

Winston-Salem public parks are closed from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily under Code Chapter 54. Entering a closed park after hours is a misdemeanor trespass with fines up to $500.

Key details: Park Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM. Salem Lake: Sunset close. Fine: $100 civil + possible criminal. Code: Chapter 54. After-Hours: Special use permit required.

First offense typically: $100 civil citation. Criminal charges (Class 3 misdemeanor trespass) can be added for refusal to leave. Vandalism or drug offenses in parks trigger enhanced enforcement.

The Bottom Line

Winston-Salem'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 Winston-Salem is broadly strict or permissive.

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