Canton, OH Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- General curfew hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- DORA curfew hours
- 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Minor defined as
- under age 18
- Enacted by
- Ordinance 102-2023, passed 8-7-23
- Parent violation penalty
- minor misdemeanor, then 4th degree
- Minor violation outcome
- cited to Stark County Juvenile Court
Summary
In the City of Canton, Ohio, minors under 18 may not loiter, wander or ride in a vehicle in any public place between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. under Codified Ordinances Section 503.02. Exceptions cover minors with a parent or guardian, working minors, and those returning from a registered school or church event within one hour. Violators face juvenile court referral.
No minor shall loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play, or be in or on any vehicle, in or upon any public place within the City of Canton between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to the following: (a) To a minor accompanied by a parent, guardian, custodian or other adult person having custody or control of such minor; ... (d) To a minor attending or returning, within one hour after the conclusion thereof, from any scheduled activity by the Canton Board of Education such as football or basketball games, or from any other special function scheduled by any other church, school or organization, provided that the church, school or organization shall register the event in advance with the Chief of Police or his designate, who shall require such information as is necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
Full Breakdown
The City of Canton, Ohio enforces a general nighttime curfew for minors under Codified Ordinances Section 503.02, adopted by the twelve-member Canton City Council under Ordinance 102-2023 on August 7, 2023. No minor under age 18 may loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play, or ride in or on any vehicle, in any public place within the city between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Public place is defined broadly in Section 503.01 to include streets, sidewalks, parks, parking lots and even private property entered without the owner's consent.
Four exceptions apply: a minor accompanied by a parent, guardian or custodian; a minor on an emergency errand directed by a parent; a minor whose presence is tied to legitimate employment; and a minor attending or returning within one hour of a Canton Board of Education athletic event or a church, school or organization function registered in advance with the Canton Police Chief. A separate, stricter curfew applies inside the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) downtown under Section 503.03, running from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. with fewer exceptions.
Section 503.04 makes it a separate offense for a parent, guardian or custodian to knowingly allow or fail to restrain a minor from violating either curfew. Canton Police officers patrol downtown and residential areas to enforce both curfews.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 503.99, a minor who violates the general curfew (Section 503.02), the DORA curfew (Section 503.03), or the compulsory-attendance rules is adjudicated an unruly child and cited to the Stark County Juvenile Court rather than fined outright. A parent, guardian or custodian who knowingly permits a curfew violation under Section 503.04 is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense, rising to a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for any second or subsequent violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Canton, Ohio's juvenile curfew start?
Are there exceptions to Canton's minor curfew?
Can a parent be charged if their child breaks curfew in Canton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Canton
Compare Canton to another location·View the Ohio curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.