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Frederick, MD Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Curfew age
under 17, unmarried, unemancipated
Weeknight curfew (Sun-Thu)
11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Weekend curfew (Fri/Sat)
11:59 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Parent violation fine
$100 municipal infraction
Operator violation fine
$100 municipal infraction
Parent-directed errand cutoff
no later than 12:30 a.m.

Summary

Frederick's Juvenile Curfew Ordinance (§§ 15-9 through 15-14) bars anyone under 17 from public places from 11:59 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Parents and business operators who knowingly let a minor break curfew face separate municipal fines.

(a)"Curfew hours" means the period of time ending at 6:00 a.m. and beginning at (1) 11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights; and (2) 11:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights. ... (d)"Juvenile" means any unemancipated person under the age of 17 who is not legally married. ... (a)Juveniles. A juvenile may not be or remain in or upon a public place within the City during curfew hours unless: ... (b)Parents. A juvenile's parent may not knowingly permit, or by inefficient control allow, the juvenile to remain in a public place during curfew hours in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Land Management Code: Supplement 13 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 112).

Full Breakdown

m. m. Sunday through Thursday, and defines 'juvenile' as any unemancipated, unmarried person under 17. ), exercising First Amendment rights, responding to an emergency, standing on the sidewalk in front of the juvenile's own residence, attending or returning from a supervised school, religious, or civic activity, going to or from employment, or engaging in interstate travel with parental consent. Section 15-12(b) makes a parent liable if the parent knowingly, or through inefficient control, allows the violation, applying an objective 'should have known' standard rather than requiring actual knowledge.

Section 15-12(c) similarly holds establishment operators liable for knowingly letting a juvenile remain during curfew hours, but gives the operator a defense if it promptly notifies the Frederick Police Department that the juvenile was present and refused to leave. Section 15-13 lets an officer who reasonably believes a juvenile is violating curfew take the juvenile into custody until released to a parent or other appropriate authority.

Violations & Fines

The juvenile is not fined directly but may be referred to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services as a child in need of supervision (§ 15-14(a)). A parent who violates § 15-12(b) faces a $100 municipal infraction, and an establishment operator who violates § 15-12(c) faces a separate $100 municipal infraction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Frederick's juvenile curfew start?
It starts at 11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, running until 6:00 a.m., under § 15-11(a). It applies to anyone under 17 who is unmarried and not legally emancipated.
Can my child get an exception to Frederick's curfew?
Yes. Section 15-12(a) exempts a juvenile accompanied by a parent or parent-authorized adult, running a parent-directed errand before 12:30 a.m., exercising First Amendment rights, handling an emergency, standing on their own sidewalk, or going to and from work or a supervised school, religious, or civic activity.
What happens if my child is caught out after curfew in Frederick?
A police officer may take the juvenile into custody until released to a parent or other appropriate authority under § 15-13, and the juvenile itself can be referred to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services as a child in need of supervision under § 15-14(a). It's the parent, not the child, who faces the $100 fine for knowingly allowing the violation.
Can a Frederick bar or restaurant be fined for letting a curfew violator stay?
Yes, under § 15-12(c) and § 15-14(c) an operator faces a $100 municipal infraction for knowingly letting a juvenile remain during curfew hours, though the operator has a defense if it promptly told the Frederick Police Department the juvenile was present and refused to leave.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Frederick

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All Frederick rules

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