Manchester, NH Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Applies to
- minors under 18
- Parent liability
- unlawful to knowingly permit violation
- First offense
- child taken home, parents warned
- Citation
- City Code § 130.03
Summary
Manchester bans minors under 18 from public streets and places between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or engaged in specific exempt activities like work or school events.
It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to be upon any public street, or in any public place, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day, official city time, unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or custodian; accompanied by an adult specified by a parent, guardian, or custodian; carrying out an errand or other lawful activity as directed by a parent, guardian, or custodian; or who is participating in, going to, or returning from lawful employment, a lawful athletic, education, entertainment, religious or social event, or interstate travel.
(B) Responsibility of parents. It shall be unlawful for the parent, guardian, or custodian having the care and custody of a minor under the age of 18 years to knowingly permit such minor to be upon any public street, or in any public place, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day except as provided for under § 130.03(A).
(C) Violations. Each violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a separate offense. For the first violation of this section by any child, he shall be taken to his home by the officers, and the parents or guardian shall be notified of the penalty for any subsequent violation. ('71 Code, § 17-12) (Ord. passed 11-19-57; Am. Ord. passed 8-5-97) Penalty, see § 130.99 Statutory reference: State curfew regulations, see R.S.A. 31:43 et seq.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: current through Ord. passed 6-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
Manchester's curfew ordinance, codified at City Code § 130.03, makes it unlawful for anyone under 18 to be on a public street or in a public place between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. without a parent, guardian, or custodian, or without falling under a listed exception, work, school, religious or social events, athletics, entertainment, or interstate travel while directed by a parent. Parents and guardians who knowingly let a minor violate the curfew are separately liable. Manchester police handle first offenses by taking the child home and notifying parents that further violations carry a penalty under § 130.99.
Violations & Fines
First offense: officers take the child home and warn parents. Repeat violations bring a fine under § 130.99, up to the maximum set by RSA 47:17.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Manchester's curfew hours for minors?
What happens on a first curfew violation?
Are parents held responsible too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle juvenile curfew.