Carson, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10:00 p.m. to sunrise
- Applies to
- anyone under 18
- Parental liability
- guardians can be cited too
- Escalation
- 4th offense = misdemeanor
Summary
Minors under 18 cannot be in Carson's streets, parks, or vacant lots between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise unless they qualify for a listed exception, under CMC § 4114.
Every minor who is present in or upon any public or private street, road, drive, alley, or trail; any public or community park or recreation area; any public ground, place, or building; or any vacant lot or abandoned or vacant building between the hour of 10:00 p.m. and the time of sunrise of the following day is guilty of an infraction unless the minor meets one (1) of the exceptions set forth in subsection (c) of this Section.
(b) Parental Responsibility. Every custodial person who allows or permits a minor in his or her custody to violate any provision of this Section is guilty of an infraction.
(c) This Section shall not apply if the minor is:
(1) Accompanied by a custodial person or by the minor's spouse over eighteen (18) years of age;
(2) On an errand directed by, and in possession of a written excuse from, a custodial person or spouse over eighteen (18) years of age;
(3) Engaged in or going directly to or returning directly from a school-approved activity or one that is supervised by school personnel; a medical appointment; a religious activity; or a lawful educational or recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by a school, a public agency, a civic organization, or a similar entity that takes responsibility for the child;
(4)
Full Breakdown
Carson Municipal Code § 4114 bars anyone under 18 from public or private streets, parks, vacant lots, or abandoned buildings between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise. Nine exceptions cover accompanied minors, work, school and religious activities, emergencies, First Amendment activity, homelessness, and minors on the right-of-way outside their own home. A custodial adult who knowingly lets a minor break curfew is separately guilty of an infraction. Officers must ask age and reason for being out before citing anyone, and may not cite if an exception plausibly applies.
Violations & Fines
A first offense may draw community service or parenting classes instead of a fine; further violations are infractions under CMC § 1200(b), and a fourth violation becomes a misdemeanor under § 1200(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Carson's curfew for minors start?
Can Carson police stop a teen just for being out late?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carson
California rules heatmap·Compare Carson to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle juvenile curfew.