Yolo County, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10 p.m.-6 a.m. (11 p.m. DST)
- Covered minors
- Under 18 years old
- Parent liability
- Knowing or willful permission, misdemeanor
- Pre-enforcement step
- Officer must ask age and reason
- Number of listed defenses
- 9 defenses under 5-5.04(c)
- Governing sections
- Yolo County Code §§ 5-5.03-5-5.05
Summary
Minors under 18 may not be in a public place or an establishment in unincorporated Yolo County between 10 p.m. (11 p.m. during daylight saving time) and 6 a.m., and parents who knowingly allow it are also liable, under Sections 5-5.03 through 5-5.05.
“Curfew hours” means the period from 10:00 p.m. any evening of the week, or 11:00 p.m. daylight savings time, until 6:00 a.m. the following day... (a) It is unlawful for any minor to be present in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the County of Yolo during curfew hours. (b) It is unlawful for any parent or guardian of a minor to knowingly permit, or by insufficient control to allow, the minor to be present in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the County during curfew hours.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).
Full Breakdown
the following day, and defines "minor" as anyone under eighteen. 04(b) separately makes it unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly permit, or through insufficient control allow, that presence. 04(c): the minor was accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult; on a direct errand for a parent or guardian without detour; traveling interstate in a vehicle; going to, from, or engaged in employment without detour; responding to an emergency; on the sidewalk abutting their own residence; at a county- or civic-organization-sponsored school, religious, or recreational activity supervised by adults; exercising First Amendment rights; or emancipated by law.
04(d) requires an officer to ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being present, and bars a citation or arrest unless the officer reasonably believes an offense occurred and no defense applies. 04(e). The ordinance originates from Ordinance No. 327 and was amended by Ordinance No. 1358, effective May 31, 2007.
Violations & Fines
Section 5-5.05 makes a violating minor guilty of a misdemeanor, handled through juvenile court law and procedure rather than adult criminal court. A parent, guardian, or other adult with custody who knowingly and willfully allows a minor to violate the curfew is also guilty of a misdemeanor, exposing them to the general Section 1-2.01 penalty range of up to $500 and/or six months in County Jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Yolo County's juvenile curfew start?
Can a minor be out after curfew for work?
Can a parent be charged if their child breaks curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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