Bozeman, MT Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

The curfew sits in Bozeman Municipal Code chapter 24, article 8, division 2. Section 24.08.150 covers any minor under the age of 16 years within the corporate limits of the city. The listed places are public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds and other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots and other unsupervised places or premises. The window runs from 10:00 p.m. of any day to 4:00 a.m. of the following day, measured by official city time. Each violation is a separate offense.

Section 24.08.160 lists eight exemptions. A minor is exempt when accompanied by a parent, guardian or a person 21 years of age or older authorized by a parent as caretaker, on an errand at a parent's direction without any detour or stop, in a vehicle involved in interstate travel, working or going to or from work without any detour or stop, involved in an emergency, on the sidewalk abutting the minor's or the next-door neighbor's residence if the neighbor has not complained to the police, attending an official school, religious or other recreational activity sponsored by the city or a civic organization that takes responsibility for the minor, or exercising First Amendment rights. The exemptions work as a defense, and the burden of proof rests on the defendant to the satisfaction of the court.

Section 24.08.170 makes it a violation for a parent, guardian or other adult with care, custody or control of a minor under 16 to allow the minor to be out during those hours, expressly or by neglect. The same exemptions apply and the defendant carries the burden. The section adds that it is not a defense that the adult did not know the minor was out.

Section 24.08.180 sets the consequences. A minor who breaks section 24.08.150 is dealt with under MCA 41-5-101 et seq. and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles at MCA 41-6-101 et seq. The city code itself puts the fine and jail exposure on the adult.