Arcadia, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

The night curfew is Section 4250 in Part 5, Minors: Curfew, Daytime Loitering, of Chapter 2 of Article IV of the Arcadia Municipal Code. It prohibits any person under the age of eighteen from loitering about any public street, avenue, alley, park or public place between 10:00 p.m. and the time of sunrise of the following day. The only accompaniment exception printed is a parent or legal guardian having legal custody and control of the person, or the person's spouse, who must be over twenty-one years of age.

Section 4250.1, added by Ord. 2076 adopted 9-16-97, supplies two rules of construction. The term loiter is defined in accordance with the definitions adopted by the courts of the State of California, and a person who is loitering is not in violation if exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution.

Section 4250.1.2 adds a procedure. Before taking any enforcement action, a police officer must ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being in the prohibited place. The officer cannot issue a citation or make an arrest unless the officer reasonably believes an offense has occurred and that, based on any response and other circumstances, the person is not exercising First Amendment rights.

Parents face a money consequence under Section 4252. When a minor is detained for more than one hour after a finding of civil liability or a criminal conviction for a curfew or daytime loitering violation, and the detention required supervision by Arcadia Police Department employees, the parents or legal guardians are jointly and severally liable for the cost of that personnel beyond normal services. The bill can be appealed in writing within fifteen days after the billing date to the City Manager or a designee, who gives written notice of the decision within ten days. Payment is suspended during the appeal, and if the appeal is denied all amounts are due within thirty days.

Daytime truancy is separate. Section 4251 covers minors subject to compulsory education in public places between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on days when the school is in session.