Independence, MO Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours, Sun-Thu
- 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
- Curfew hours, Fri-Sat
- 11 p.m.-6 a.m.
- I70/M291 District
- 9 p.m.-6 a.m. nightly
- Applies to
- Minors under 18
- Parent duty
- Must supervise, avoid neglect
Summary
Independence enforces a citywide curfew for minors under 18: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday, plus a stricter 9 p.m. curfew in one commercial district.
It is unlawful for a minor (defined as a child under the age of 18 years for this subsection) to loiter or play in or upon the public street, public grounds, public buildings, amusement places, dining places, vacant places, shopping places within the City of Independence between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any...Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday or between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any Friday or Saturday...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 12.03.009 bars anyone under 18 from loitering or playing on public streets, grounds, buildings, or shopping and amusement places during curfew hours, with exceptions for minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, on an emergency errand, or returning directly from school, work, or a sanctioned activity. A separate, stricter 9:00 p.m. curfew applies year-round inside the I70/M291 commercial district near Bass Pro Drive. Parents or guardians who knowingly fail to supervise a curfew violator face the same Chapter 12 penalties.
Violations & Fines
Each violation is punishable under the Chapter 12 general penalty, § 12.08.001: a fine of up to $500.00 and up to six months in jail, applied separately to the minor and to a neglectful parent or guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Independence, Missouri's juvenile curfew hours?
Is there a stricter curfew zone in Independence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Independence
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jackson County handle juvenile curfew.