Cedar Rapids, IA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Covered ages
- under 16 years old
- Who can be cited
- minor, parent/guardian, or establishment
- Penalty
- $65-$625 fine, up to 30 days jail (§ 1.06)
- Defenses
- 9 listed, incl. parent, work, emergency
- Governing section
- § 62.28
Summary
Cedar Rapids Municipal Code § 62.28 bars anyone under 16 from being in a public place or business between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. without a listed excuse. Parents who knowingly let it happen and businesses that knowingly let a minor stay both commit separate offenses, all punishable under the city's general $65-$625 penalty section.
(a)Definitions.1."Curfew hours" mean 11:00 p.m. on any day until 6:00 a.m. of the following day...5."Minor" means any person under 16 years of age...(b)Offense.1.A minor commits an offense if he/she remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours.2.A parent or guardian of a minor commits an offense if he/she knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours.3.The owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment commits an offense if he/she knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24).
Full Breakdown
and apply to anyone under 16. 28(b): the minor who remains in a public place or on an establishment's premises during those hours; a parent or guardian who knowingly permits it or fails to exercise sufficient control to prevent it; and the owner, operator, or employee of an establishment who knowingly lets a minor stay. 28(c) lists specific defenses: being accompanied by a parent or guardian; running an errand for a parent without a detour; traveling interstate in a vehicle; going to, from, or working a job without a detour; an emergency; standing on the sidewalk outside the minor's own home or a next-door neighbor's home if the neighbor hasn't complained to police; attending or traveling to/from a school, religious, or adult-supervised recreational activity sponsored by the City or a civic group; exercising First Amendment rights such as speech, religion, or assembly; and being married or legally emancipated.
An establishment also has its own defense if it promptly told police a minor refused to leave. 28(d) requires an officer to first ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being out, and the officer can only act if no defense appears to apply. 06 standard: a fine of $65 to $625, up to 30 days in jail, or both, plus court costs, with each day of violation a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Because § 62.28 doesn't set its own fine, a violation is prosecuted under the general penalty in § 1.06: a fine of not less than $65 nor more than $625, up to 30 days in jail in addition to or instead of the fine, and court costs. Each day the violation continues is a separate offense, and unpaid fines and costs can result in jail time until they're satisfied, capped at 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the juvenile curfew start in Cedar Rapids?
Can my child be out after curfew in Cedar Rapids if we're together?
Can a business get in trouble for letting a minor stay past curfew?
What's the penalty for violating Cedar Rapids' curfew law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Rapids
Compare Cedar Rapids to another location·View the Iowa curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.