Philadelphia, PA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

the following day. Subsection (1)(a) lists eight exceptions: the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or custodian; running an errand or on legitimate business at a parent's direction; going to or from lawful employment; traveling interstate in a vehicle; handling an emergency; standing on the sidewalk abutting the minor's or an uncomplaining neighbor's residence; attending or traveling to a supervised school, religious, or City-sponsored recreational activity; or exercising First Amendment rights. Section 10-304 separately bars a parent from knowingly permitting a minor to violate the curfew, and Section 10-305 bars an establishment's operator or employees from knowingly letting a minor remain on the premises past curfew.

Section 10-306 spells out enforcement: an officer who finds a minor in apparent violation must get the minor's name, address, age, and parent or guardian's identity, then either take the minor home or to a City-designated location and notify the parent. The Juvenile Bureau mails the parent written notice of the violation and its penalties. Subsection (3) waives any penalty if the officer determines the minor is homeless. Subsection (10) makes each violation a separate offense, and subsection (11) requires the Police Department and Department of Human Services to file quarterly reports to City Council on curfew enforcement, including the number of minors cited, their age, race and gender, the police district, where they were taken, and whether a parent was reached, starting with the July-December 2022 period.