Passaic, NJ Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Chapter 113, adopted April 29, 1999 by Ord. No. m. m. Friday and Saturday. Three separate offenses exist under § 113-3: a minor who remains in a public place or on business premises during curfew hours; a parent or guardian who knowingly permits, or through insufficient control allows, that; and an establishment's owner, operator or employee who knowingly allows a minor to remain on the premises during those hours. Nine exceptions cover common situations, accompanied by a parent, running a direct errand, interstate travel, going to or from work, an emergency, standing on the sidewalk outside the minor's or a non-objecting neighbor's home, a supervised school/religious/civic activity, exercising First Amendment rights, or being married or otherwise legally emancipated (§ 113-4A).

Before enforcing, an officer must ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being out and may only act if no exception applies (§ 113-5A). A first violation draws a written warning instead of a summons, filed with the Municipal Court Clerk (§ 113-5E). Once cited, the minor is taken into police custody until a parent or guardian retrieves them, and if none can be located the juvenile may be released to an adult relative, neighbor, or juvenile authorities (§ 113-5C, D).