Sacramento, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Minor's violation
- Misdemeanor, juvenile court
- First parent fine
- $100–$250 or 10 days jail
- Second parent fine
- $250–$500 or 30 days jail
- Repeat parent fine
- $500–$1,000 or 90 days jail
- Governing law
- City Code Chapter 9.40
Summary
Sacramento bans minors from public places and business premises between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. under City Code Chapter 9.40. Parents and guardians who knowingly allow a minor to violate curfew face misdemeanor charges too, with exceptions for supervised events, work, emergencies and constitutionally protected activity.
"Curfew hours" means between the hours of ten p.m. and six a.m. of the following day. ... A. It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for any minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours. ... B. It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for any parent or guardian of a minor to permit or allow such minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours.
Full Breakdown
020(A)). 020(B)). Nine statutory exceptions keep the ordinance from sweeping in ordinary teenage activity: being accompanied by a parent or guardian, running an errand at a parent's direction without a detour, riding in a vehicle on interstate travel, coming from or going to a job without a detour, responding to an emergency, standing on the sidewalk in front of the minor's own home or a non-complaining next-door neighbor's home, attending a supervised school, religious, sporting or civic event, exercising First Amendment rights such as speech, assembly or religious worship, or being an emancipated minor. 020(C)). 030). A cited minor is instead routed through juvenile court law and procedure rather than adult criminal court.
Violations & Fines
A minor caught in a public place or business during curfew without a qualifying exception is charged with a misdemeanor and referred to juvenile court. A parent or guardian who knowingly lets a minor violate curfew faces escalating fines, $100–$250 for a first offense, $250–$500 for a second within a year, and $500–$1,000 for each further offense, plus up to 10, 30 or 90 days in county jail respectively (§ 9.40.030).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Sacramento's juvenile curfew start?
Can my teenager be out past curfew for work or school events?
What happens to a parent if their child breaks curfew?
Does the curfew apply to minors going home from a friend's house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle juvenile curfew.