Columbus, IN Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Section 9.20.010 is the only section in Chapter 9.20, Offenses By or Against Minors, and it sets the curfew for anyone under eighteen on the streets, alleys or public places of the city.

For a child fifteen, sixteen or seventeen years of age, it is unlawful to be or remain in or upon the streets, alleys or public places in three windows: between one a.m. and five a.m. on Saturday or Sunday; after eleven p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday; and before 5:00 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

For a child under fifteen, subsection B is stricter and simpler. It is a curfew violation to remain in or upon the streets, alleys or public places after eleven p.m. or before five a.m. on any day, with no weekend relaxation.

Subsection C lists the exceptions. The regulations do not apply to a child who is accompanied by his parent, guardian or custodian, accompanied by an adult specified by his parent, guardian or custodian, or participating in, going to or returning from lawful employment, a school sanctioned activity or a religious event.

Subsection D reaches the adults. It is unlawful for any parent, guardian or other person having the legal care and custody of any person under eighteen years of age to allow or permit that child, ward or other person to be out within the prohibited time unless there exists a reasonable necessity. Parents are therefore subject to the ordinance independently of the child.

The section prints no fine of its own. Section 1.12.010 supplies the penalty: a violation of the code is an ordinance violation, each day a violation is committed or permitted to continue is a separate offense, and the fine cannot exceed the maximum allowed under I.C. 36-1-3-8(10) or any later statutory provision. The court can suspend a penalty and require uncompensated work that benefits the community. The curfew was enacted by the Common Council and derives from the city's prior code § 18-13.