Rohnert Park, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

Chapter 9.76 (Curfew) bars minors under eighteen from loitering, idling, wandering, or aimlessly remaining, without any visible purpose, on public streets, parks, playgrounds, public buildings, places of amusement, vacant lots, and other unsupervised public places during two windows: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily under Section 9.76.020, and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on days school is in session under Section 9.76.030, which targets minors subject to compulsory education. Section 9.76.010 defines the operative terms narrowly: "loiter" means lingering for an extended period without a worthwhile activity, "idle" means staying in one area doing nothing productive, and "wander" means walking around without a specific purpose or objective.

Section 9.76.040 carves out seven exceptions: a minor accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult; a minor running an emergency errand without detours; a minor traveling in interstate transportation; a minor on the sidewalk outside their own residence; a minor attending a school-sponsored, religious, cultural, or recreational event, or a city-sponsored and supervised activity; a minor exercising First Amendment rights peacefully; and an emancipated minor. Before citing anyone, the officer must ask the minor's age and reason for being out, and can only issue a citation if not reasonably satisfied the minor has a valid excuse.

Section 9.76.050 extends liability to parents and guardians: it is unlawful for a parent, guardian, or other adult with custody to knowingly permit a minor to violate the curfew. Section 9.76.070 sets the penalty for that adult liability at a fine of up to $500, up to sixty days in jail, or both, while the minor is instead handled under juvenile court law and procedure, and Section 9.76.060 makes each day's violation a separate, separately prosecutable offense.