San Mateo County, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Weeknight curfew
- 11 p.m.–5 a.m. Sun–Thu
- Weekend curfew
- Midnight–5 a.m. Fri–Sat
- School-hours curfew
- 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Enforcement
- San Mateo County Sheriff
- 2nd violation
- Citation + Juvenile Probation referral
Summary
Unincorporated San Mateo County bars youths under 18 from public places between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. weeknights, midnight to 5 a.m. weekends, plus school hours, subject to listed exceptions.
(a) It shall be unlawful for a youth to loiter or remain in any public place during curfew hours. (b) It shall be unlawful for a parent or guardian of a youth knowingly to permit, or by insufficient control to allow, the youth to loiter or remain in any public place 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 47).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 3.04 of the county ordinance code makes it unlawful for anyone under 18 to loiter or remain in a public place during curfew hours, and makes parents or guardians liable for knowingly permitting it. Curfew hours run 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, midnight to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on school days. Nine exceptions apply, including accompaniment by a parent, work, emergencies, and supervised activities. Deputies must ask age and reason before enforcing, and a cited youth is taken to a drop-off center; a second violation within a year triggers a citation and a Juvenile Probation referral.
Violations & Fines
First-time youths are taken to a drop-off center and evaluated; parents are contacted. A second violation within one year brings a citation and referral to Juvenile Probation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the curfew apply in cities like Redwood City?
Can a parent be cited too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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