Tulare County, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Ordinance Code § 5-01-1000 covers only the unincorporated areas of Tulare County: a minor stopped in Visalia, Porterville, Dinuba, Tulare city or another incorporated city is governed by that city's own curfew rule, not this one. The prohibited activity is broad: loitering, idling, wandering, strolling or playing on public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, public buildings, places of amusement, eating establishments and vacant lots during curfew hours. Four exceptions apply under § 5-01-1000(a)-(d): a minor with a parent or guardian, a minor on a parent-directed emergency errand, a minor heading straight home without a detour after a school, entertainment or recreational event, and a minor going to or from lawful employment without a detour.

Parents and guardians face their own duty under § 5-01-1005: knowingly allowing a minor to loiter during curfew hours is itself unlawful. Enforcement escalates under § 5-01-1010. Deputies may detain a minor only on reasonable suspicion based on articulable facts. The first violation draws a warning citation, and the County mails the parents or guardian written notice explaining that a second violation can trigger liability for administrative and transportation costs; the notice requires the parents' signature and includes space to claim an exemption. On a second and every later violation, an officer may temporarily detain the minor and transport them home or to a parent or guardian's custody, unless the officer finds a legitimate extenuating reason not to.

Section 5-01-1015 lets the County recover its actual administrative and transportation costs from the minor and the parents jointly or severally. A County Hearing Officer can waive the fee if the parents show reasonable efforts at supervision, an inability to pay, or limited legal custody, or can substitute community service.