Montebello, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Section 9.16.010, in Chapter 9.16, Offenses By or Against Minors, makes it unlawful for any minor under eighteen to be present on public streets, avenues, highways, roads, alleys, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, other public grounds, public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, parking lots or vacant lots in the city between 10:00 p.m. on any day and sunrise the next morning. The section lists ten exceptions lettered A through J: accompaniment by a parent, guardian or adult with custody, or by a spouse eighteen or older; an errand directed by such a person without detour; returning directly from public entertainment or a school activity without detour; presence connected to lawful employment; attending school, religious, recreational or civic functions; travel through the city in a vehicle on an interstate trip; marriage or emancipation under California law; being on the property or sidewalk abutting the minor's own residence; an emergency; and exercise of First Amendment rights such as speech, religion or assembly.

Section 9.16.035 sets the penalty and procedure. A wilful violation is an infraction, punishable by a fine not to exceed $135, up to 27 hours of community service, or other punishment the municipal court approves, and community service must be served outside the minor's school or work hours. Before citing anyone, subsection C requires the officer to ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being out, and bars a citation or arrest unless the officer reasonably believes an offense occurred and no exception applies.