Monterey County, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)

76 (Ord. m. 030 creates three separate offenses: a minor remaining in a public place or business establishment during curfew hours (A); a parent or guardian who knowingly permits, or through insufficient control allows, the minor to remain out (B); and an establishment's owner, operator or employee who knowingly permits a minor to remain on the premises during curfew (C). 040 lists specific defenses, including being accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult; running an errand for a parent without detour; traveling interstate; going to or from work or a supervised school, religious or recreational activity without detour; responding to an emergency; standing on the sidewalk next to the minor's own residence; exercising First Amendment rights; or being an emancipated minor.

A parent has an additional defense if they promptly notified the Sheriff's Department that the minor was out without permission despite reasonable efforts to prevent it, and an establishment has a parallel defense if it promptly notified the Sheriff that a minor on the premises refused to leave. 050 requires an officer to ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being out, and the officer may only act if no defense reasonably appears to apply.