Pasadena, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Nighttime curfew
- 10:00 p.m. to sunrise, all minors
- Daytime curfew
- 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. school days, school-age minors
- Penalty
- Infraction, fine up to $500
- Exceptions
- 10 listed, incl. work, emergency, First Amendment activity
- Governing section
- Municipal Code Section 9.68.010
Summary
Pasadena bars minors from public streets, parks, and other public places between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise under a nighttime curfew, and during school hours, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on school days, under a daytime curfew, both set by Municipal Code Section 9.68.010. Ten exceptions cover work, errands, emergencies, and constitutional activity.
A.Nighttime Curfew. Every minor who is present in or upon any public or private street, road, drive, alley, or trail; any public or community park or recreation area; any public ground, place, or building; or any vacant lot or abandoned or vacant building between the hour of 10:00 p.m. and the time of sunrise of the following day is guilty of an infraction unless the minor meets one of the exceptions set forth in subsection D of this section.B.Daytime Curfew. Every minor subject to compulsory education or to compulsory continuation education who is present in or upon any public or private street, road, drive, alley, or trail; any public or community park or recreation area; any public ground, place, or building; or any vacant lot or abandoned or vacant building between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. of the same day, on days when the minor's school is in session, is guilty of an infraction unless the minor meets one of the exceptions set forth in subsection D of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 79 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
and sunrise, unless an exception applies. on school days, for minors subject to compulsory or continuation education, with added exceptions for a school-issued off-campus permit, tutoring under Education Code Section 48224, or another statutory exemption from school attendance. C lists ten exceptions covering minors accompanied by a custodial adult or spouse over 18; on an errand with a written excuse; engaged in a school, medical, religious, or adult-supervised recreational activity; going to or from lawful employment; acting with written parental permission; handling an emergency; exercising First Amendment or state constitutional rights; standing in the right-of-way abutting the minor's residence; riding in a vehicle on interstate travel; or legally emancipated.
"Minor" means anyone under 18, and "custodial person" means a parent, guardian, or an adult 21 or older with written parental authorization. F preserves officers' normal investigation, detention, and arrest powers.
Violations & Fines
Violating either curfew is an infraction under Section 9.68.020, punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00. A minor cited under this chapter may instead request that a petition be filed under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 601 or 602. Officers must ask the minor's age and reason for being out and may cite only if none of the ten exceptions in Section 9.68.010.C apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Pasadena's curfew hours for minors?
Are there exceptions to the Pasadena curfew?
What happens if a minor is cited for violating curfew?
Can police still detain a minor even if a curfew exception applies?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle juvenile curfew.