New Orleans, LA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- New Orleans Code § 54-414
- School-hours curfew
- 6:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m., school days
- Summer weeknight curfew
- 9:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
- School-year weeknight curfew
- 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
- Weekend curfew
- 11:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
- French Quarter curfew
- 8:00 p.m. every night
- Custodian fine
- Up to $500.00
Summary
New Orleans bars minors under 18 from public places and business premises during school hours (6:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m. on school days), nightly from 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. depending on season, and from 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, under City Code § 54-414. A stricter 8:00 p.m. curfew applies every night of the week inside the French Quarter and Marigny.
(b)Offenses. The following are violations of this section:(1)A minor shall not remain in a public place or on the premises of an establishment from:a.6:00 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. on any day when the minor is required to be in school;b.9:00 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 6:00 a.m. of the following day from June 1 through August 31;c.8:00 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 6:00 a.m. of the following day from September 1 through May 31; andd.11:00 p.m. on any Friday or Saturday until 6:00 a.m. of the following day.e.8:00 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday until 6:00 a.m. of the following day in the area bounded by both sides of the following streets: Canal Street, North Rampart, Elysian Fields Avenue, and the Mississippi River.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 116 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 54-414 sets four overlapping curfew windows for anyone under 18 who has not been emancipated. on any day school is required. m. m. cutoff on Friday and Saturday nights year-round. every night of the week. " Defenses under subsection (c) cover a minor accompanied by a custodian, on a reasonable errand, traveling in an interstate vehicle, working under a custodian's direction, responding to an emergency, on the sidewalk next to home or a consenting neighbor's home, or attending a supervised school, religious or civic activity.
For daytime violations, police take the minor to the parish school board's truancy shelter-care facility; for nighttime violations, officers either send the minor home directly or take custody under Louisiana Children's Code article 736. 00 or six months in the parish jail.
Violations & Fines
A custodian who permits or fails to control a minor's curfew violation is fined up to $500.00, with a third offense referred to the district attorney for possible action under the Louisiana Children's Code. An establishment operator or employee who knowingly allows a minor to stay past curfew faces a fine of up to $500.00 or imprisonment up to six months, or both, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is curfew for minors in New Orleans?
Are there exceptions to the New Orleans juvenile curfew?
What happens if a business lets a minor stay past curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Orleans
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