El Dorado County, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 9.36.020 (Chapter 9.36, Curfew for Minors)
- Curfew hours
- 11:00 p.m. to sunrise, all minors under 18
- Key exceptions
- Accompanied by parent, on errand, returning home, working
- Each violation
- Charged as a separate offense per night
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under Chapter 1.24 general penalty
Summary
El Dorado County bars anyone under 18 from loitering in public places, including streets, parks, and businesses, between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise under Section 9.36.020. Exceptions cover minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, running an errand for one, returning home from an activity, or working a lawful job.
It is unlawful for any minor person under the age of 18 years to loiter about or upon the public streets, avenues, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement and eating places, vacant lots or any unsupervised place between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and the time of sunrise of the following day; provided, however, that the provisions of this section do not apply when the minor is accompanied by his or her parents, guardian, adult spouse, or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor, or when the minor is upon an errand directed by his or her parent or guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor or when the minor is returning directly home from a meeting, entertainment, educational or recreational activity, or the presence of such minor in the place or places is connected with or required with respect to a business, trade, profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
and sunrise the next day. The Code defines 'loiter' for curfew purposes broadly, in subsection B, as to 'idle, linger, wander, stroll, play or to walk, drive or ride aimlessly,' which sweeps in driving around after hours, not just standing still. Subsection A carves out several defenses: a minor accompanied by a parent, guardian, adult spouse, or other adult with custody of the minor; a minor on an errand directed by a parent, guardian, or custodial adult; a minor returning directly home from a meeting, entertainment, or educational or recreational activity; and a minor whose presence is required by a job the minor is lawfully working.
must be able to show which one applies, for example that they are heading straight home from a school event rather than idling in a parking lot. Subsection C makes each night's violation a separate offense, so repeated curfew stops can result in multiple citations rather than one continuing charge.
Violations & Fines
Violating the curfew ordinance is a misdemeanor under Section 9.36.040, punished according to the Chapter 1.24 general penalty of up to a $1,000.00 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, though a minor would typically be referred through the juvenile justice system rather than County adult court. Each night a minor is found loitering in violation of Section 9.36.020 is treated as a separate offense under subsection C.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the El Dorado County youth curfew start?
Is my teenager allowed out after curfew if I'm with them?
Can a minor be cited for driving home late from a school event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.