Santa Clarita, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily
- Applies to
- Anyone under 18 years old
- Maximum fine
- $250 per offense
- Officer must first
- Ask the minor's age and reason for being out
- Parent liability
- Separate misdemeanor for knowingly aiding a violation
Summary
Santa Clarita Municipal Code Section 11.56.020 bars anyone under eighteen from being on a public street, business, or vacant lot between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless a listed exception applies, such as being with a parent, coming from work, or attending a City-sponsored activity. A first violation, and any adult who knowingly helps a minor break curfew, is punishable by up to a $250 fine.
It is unlawful for any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years to remain upon any public street, avenue, highway, road, curb area, public building, place of amusement or eating place, vacant lot, or unsupervised place between the hours of ten p.m. and six a.m.; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply when: A. The minor is accompanied by him or her parent or guardian having the legal care or custody of the minor... ... A person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a separate offense for each day or part of a day during which the violation is committed, continued, or permitted. Each offense, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
Full Breakdown
every day of the week. Six exceptions apply: being accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse eighteen or older; running a direct errand for a parent or guardian; being in a vehicle on interstate travel; going to, from, or working at a job without any detour; responding to an emergency; and attending or returning directly from a school, religious, or City-sponsored recreational activity supervised by adults. 030 separately makes it a misdemeanor for a parent, guardian, or other person with legal custody to knowingly aid, abet, or encourage a minor to violate curfew.
040 requires the officer to first ask the person's age and reason for being out, and bars a citation or arrest unless the officer reasonably believes an offense occurred and no listed defense applies. 050 sets the penalty at up to $250 per offense, with each day or part of a day the violation continues counted as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Each day or part of a day a curfew violation continues is charged as a separate offense under Section 11.56.050, capped at a $250 fine per offense. A parent, guardian, or other custodian who knowingly aids or encourages a minor's curfew violation is guilty of a separate misdemeanor under Section 11.56.030, independent of any citation issued to the minor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Santa Clarita's curfew hours for minors?
What are valid reasons for a minor to be out after curfew?
Can a parent get in trouble for a child's curfew violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clarita
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle juvenile curfew.