Marin County, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Under-16 street curfew
- Midnight to 30 min before sunrise (§ 6.28.010)
- Under-16 vehicle curfew
- Same hours (§ 6.28.020)
- Under-18 venue curfew
- 11 p.m. to daylight (§ 6.28.040)
- Under-18 driving curfew
- 11 p.m. to sunrise (§ 6.28.050)
- Vehicle impoundment
- Authorized by sheriff (§ 6.28.050)
- Adult penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 6 months jail (§ 6.28.070)
Summary
In unincorporated Marin County it is unlawful for anyone under 16 to loiter, idle, stroll or play in a public street, square, park or public place between midnight and a half hour before sunrise under Marin County Code § 6.28.010. A separate 11 p.m. curfew for under-18s covers bars, restaurants and vehicle riding.
It is unlawful for any minor, defined by this section as a person under the age of sixteen years, to loiter, idle, stroll or play in any public street, public square, park, or any public place between the hours of twelve midnight and one-half hour before sunrise of the following day; provided, however, that the provisions of this section do not apply to a minor accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor, or where the minor is upon an emergency errand or legitimate business directed by his or her parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor; nor where such minor is directly proceeding to or from any place of business employment, amusement, worship or other legitimate activity.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 2026 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
28 (Minors-Curfew) layers two age-based curfews. 010, a person under 16 cannot loiter, idle, stroll or play in any public street, square, park, or public place between midnight and a half hour before sunrise, unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult with custody, or on an emergency errand or legitimate business, or going to or from work, worship, or an amusement activity. 020 applies the same midnight to sunrise-minus-thirty-minutes window and exceptions to a minor under 16 riding in a vehicle on public streets without a parent or custodial adult.
and daylight unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. and sunrise without a custodial adult, subject to the same work/errand/legitimate-activity exceptions, and expressly empowers the county sheriff to impound any vehicle operated in violation. 060; both are subject to referral under Chapter 2, Division 2 of the state Welfare and Institutions Code. 070, punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to six months in county jail, or both.
Violations & Fines
A minor under 16 caught in public after curfew faces an infraction referred to juvenile court under § 6.28.030. A minor under 18 driving or riding unaccompanied after 11 p.m. faces a misdemeanor under § 6.28.060, plus vehicle impoundment by the sheriff under § 6.28.050. Adults, including bar and restaurant proprietors who let minors stay past 11 p.m., face a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and six months in jail under § 6.28.070.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the juvenile curfew start in unincorporated Marin County?
Are there exceptions to the curfew?
Can the sheriff impound a minor's car for a curfew violation?
What penalty does a bar or restaurant face for letting minors stay too late?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marin County
California rules heatmap·Compare Marin County to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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