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Curfew Laws in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Cruz County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Juvenile Curfew

Santa Cruz County bars minors under 18 from lingering in public places between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. under the Youth Protection Curfew, SCCC § 8.21.030. The ordinance lists nine exemptions, including being with a parent, coming home from work or a supervised activity, or responding to an emergency, and an officer must ask age and reason before enforcing.

Santa Cruz County Youth Protection Curfew

Significant Restrictions

Santa Cruz County Code §§ 8.21.020(A), 8.21.030

'Curfew hours' means the hours between 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for minors under the age of 18 years. ... It is unlawful for an unemancipated minor (under the age of 18) to tarry in any public place between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Park Curfew

Santa Cruz County has no single closing time posted in ordinance for every park. Santa Cruz County Code § 10.04.060 puts that decision with the Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services, who sets the hours of use for each county park and must post them at or near the entrance, so Aptos, Soquel, Live Oak, Felton, Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek residents see different posted hours park to park.

Santa Cruz County Park Curfew Hours

Some Restrictions

Santa Cruz County Code § 10.04.060

The Director shall designate the hours for the use of the parks. The Director shall post the hours of use at or near the entrance of each park.

Curfew Laws by City in Santa Cruz County

1 cities in Santa Cruz County have their own curfew laws rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Santa Cruz County ordinances

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