Schenectady, NY Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Age covered
- Under 16
- Sun–Thu hours
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Fri–Sat hours
- 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Business fine
- Up to $250
- Enforcement
- Police Youth Aide Bureau
Summary
Schenectady bars anyone under 16 from public places from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, with exceptions for parents, work, and events.
It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of 16 to be in or remain upon any public building, street, highway, park, vacant lot or other public place during the following hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and Friday and Saturday between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(2) The following shall constitute valid exceptions to the operation of the curfew:
(a) At any time, if the minor is accompanied by his or her parent, legal guardian, custodian or other legally responsible person who is over the age of 21 and approved by the minor's parent, legal guardian or custodian.
(b) At any time, if the minor is on an emergency errand as directed by his or her parent, legal guardian or custodian.
(c) If the minor is legally employed, for the period from one-half hour before to one-half hour after work, while going directly between his or her home and place of employment. This exception shall also apply if the minor is in a public place during curfew hours in the course of his or her employment. To come under this exception, the minor must be carrying a written statement from the employer attesting to the place and hours of employment.
(d) Until the hour of 12:30 a.m., if the minor is on the property of or the sidewalk directly adjacent to the building in which he or she resides or the buildings immediately adjacent thereto.
(e)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4990798; v11 updated 2026-04-13; through 04-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 192-2.1 makes it unlawful for any minor under 16 to remain in a public building, street, park, vacant lot, or other public place during curfew hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Exceptions cover minors with a parent or approved adult, emergency errands, employment (with the employer's written statement), being on their own block until 12:30 a.m., or heading straight home from a school, religious, or entertainment event. A Schenectady police officer who stops a violator takes the minor home or to the station and notifies the parent; unclaimed minors go to the Police Youth Aide Bureau.
Violations & Fines
A business that finds an under-16 on-site during curfew must order them to leave; failing to do so brings a fine up to $250. Officers take the minor home or to the Police Youth Aide Bureau, and parents may face a Family Court PINS petition under Article 7 of the Family Court Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Schenectady's curfew hours for minors?
Are there exceptions to the curfew?
What happens if a minor is caught?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Schenectady
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