Polk County, FL Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Polk County Code § 10.5-165 to § 10.5-175
- 17-year-olds
- Midnight to 6 a.m., every day
- Under 17, Sun-Thu
- 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Under 17, Fri-Sat
- Midnight to 6 a.m.
- Minor fine
- $50 civil infraction per violation
- Parent/business fine
- $50 first, up to $500 repeat
Summary
Polk County's Youth Protection Ordinance bars minors from public places during set overnight hours: midnight to 6 a.m. for 17-year-olds, and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on school nights (midnight on weekends) for anyone younger. Parents and business operators who knowingly let a minor violate curfew face their own fines.
A minor shall not be or remain in any public place or establishment either on foot or upon a vehicle during the following applicable hours:(a)Seventeen years of age. A minor who is seventeen (17) years of age shall abide by the requirements of this article between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. on any day of the week.(b)Under seventeen years of age. A minor who is under seventeen (17) years of age shall abide by the requirements of this article between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday; and between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday which are the early a.m. hours of Saturday and Sunday respectively. ... Minor. A minor who violates this article is guilty of a civil infraction and shall pay a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 109 | Land Development Code: Supplement 12).
Full Breakdown
5-175, adopted by Ordinance No. 24, Florida Statutes, define a minor as anyone seventeen or younger. m. on the Friday and Saturday overnight hours. on school days. 5-169 lists twelve exceptions, including a minor accompanied by a parent or another adult at least 21 with the parent's permission, traveling directly to or from a job, running an errand with written parental permission, attending a supervised school, religious, or civic activity, or simply on the sidewalk or swale in front of the minor's own or a neighbor's house.
5-171 makes a business operator responsible for minors who remain on the premises during restricted hours. 5-173 directs officers who take a minor into custody to verify identity, contact a parent, and, failing that, transport the minor to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Violations & Fines
A minor who violates curfew commits a civil infraction carrying a $50 fine under section 10.5-172(a), and a second violation can trigger a dependency petition in circuit court. A parent who knowingly lets a minor violate curfew, or should have known, pays $50 for a first violation and up to $500 for a second or later violation, and a business operator faces the identical $50/$500 fine structure under section 10.5-172(b) and (c).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is curfew for a 16-year-old in Polk County?
Can a minor be out past curfew if a parent gives permission?
What can happen to a business that lets teenagers stay past curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Polk County
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