Merced County, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered ages
- Under 18 years old
- Curfew hours
- 10 p.m. Standard/11 p.m. Daylight to sunrise
- Exception
- Accompanied by parent, guardian, or legal custodian
- Coverage
- Unincorporated Merced County only
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine and/or 6 months jail
Summary
Merced County Code Section 10.44.010 makes it a misdemeanor for anyone under 18 to loiter on a public street or public place in the unincorporated county between 10 p.m. Standard Time (11 p.m. Daylight Time) and sunrise without a parent, guardian, or other adult with legal custody.
Every person under the age of eighteen years who loiters in or about any public street or other public place or any place open to the public in the unincorporated area of the county between the hours of 10:00 p.m., Standard Time, or 11:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Standard Time which such is in effect, and the time of sunrise of the following day when not accompanied by his parent, guardian or other adult person having the legal care, custody, or control of such person, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 10.44, "Curfew," dates to Ordinance 349 of 1957 and remains unchanged today. Section 10.44.010 applies to every person under the age of 18 who loiters in or about a public street, other public place, or any place open to the public in the unincorporated area of Merced County during the curfew window: 10:00 p.m. Standard Time, or 11:00 p.m. when Pacific Daylight Time is in effect, until sunrise the following day. The rule only bars loitering during those hours when the minor is not accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult with legal care, custody or control of them; it does not restrict a minor traveling home from work, school events, or with a supervising adult present. Because the ordinance applies only in the unincorporated area, minors inside the incorporated cities of Merced, Los Banos, Atwater, Livingston, Dos Palos or Gustine are instead subject to that city's own curfew ordinance, if any, not this county chapter.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Chapter 10.44 is punishable under Section 10.44.020 by a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both. The section applies its own dedicated penalty rather than deferring to the county's general misdemeanor schedule in Chapter 1.28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Merced County juvenile curfew start?
Can a minor be out after curfew with a parent?
Does this curfew apply inside the City of Merced?
What's the penalty for a curfew violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced County
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced County to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.