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Rancho Cordova, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Curfew hours
10:00 p.m. to daylight for minors under 18
Governing section
RCMC § 9.28.020
First-offense process
Warning notice required before any fine
Max fine
$500.00 infraction after a warning
Parent liability
Jointly liable for added police supervision costs
Billing appeal window
15 days to the city manager

Summary

Rancho Cordova bars minors under 18 from being out in public between 10:00 p.m. and daylight: Municipal Code Section 9.28.020 makes it unlawful to loiter, wander or drive around city streets, parks and public places during those hours unless an exception applies, and separately makes parents liable for permitting it.

It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to loiter, idle, wander, stroll aimlessly, drive or ride about, or play in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, or other public grounds, public places and public buildings, places of amusement and eating places, vacant lots or any unsupervised place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and daylight immediately following.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).

Full Breakdown

and daylight the following morning. Four exceptions apply: the minor is with a parent, guardian or other adult with custody; on an emergency errand directed by that adult; returning directly home from a public meeting or entertainment such as a movie, play, sporting event or school activity; or present because of a job, trade, profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged. Subsection (B) separately makes it unlawful for a parent, guardian or custodial adult to permit or allow the minor to violate the curfew.

00 under Government Code Section 36900(b). 050 additionally lets a court hold the parent or guardian jointly and severally liable for the extra law enforcement costs of supervising a detained minor, with a right to appeal any such billing to the city manager within 15 days of the bill.

Violations & Fines

A first curfew violation draws only a warning notice to the minor and parent or guardian; the chapter's fine, up to $500.00 as an infraction under Government Code Section 36900(b), applies only after a subsequent violation following that warning. Each violation is treated as a separate offense. If a court finds the minor civilly or criminally liable, parents or guardians can also be billed for the police department's added supervision costs, with 15 days to appeal the bill to the city manager before payment is due.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Rancho Cordova's curfew hours for minors?
Municipal Code Section 9.28.020 prohibits anyone under 18 from loitering, wandering, driving around or playing in public streets, parks, playgrounds or other unsupervised public places between 10:00 p.m. and daylight the next morning. The same section makes it unlawful for a parent or guardian to knowingly allow a minor to violate the curfew during those hours.
Are there exceptions to the curfew?
Yes. The curfew does not apply when the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian or other adult with custody, is on an emergency errand directed by that adult, is returning directly home from a public meeting or entertainment event, or is present because of a job or trade the minor is lawfully engaged in.
What happens the first time a minor is caught out after curfew?
Section 9.28.040 requires the enforcement authority to issue a warning notice to the minor and parent or guardian before pursuing any penalty. Only a later violation, after that warning has been served, exposes the minor and parent to the chapter's fine of up to $500.00 as an infraction under Government Code Section 36900(b).

Sources & Official References

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