Sonoma, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 11:00 p.m. to daylight
- Applies to
- minors under age 18
- Parent liability
- separate offense under SMC 9.88.020
- Exceptions
- parent/guardian, emergency errand, supervised activity, lawful work
- Governing chapter
- SMC Chapter 9.88, since 1951
Summary
In the City of Sonoma, minors under 18 cannot loiter, wander, or play in public streets, parks, or other unsupervised public places between 11:00 p.m. and daylight. Exceptions cover minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, on an emergency errand, or returning from a supervised activity, under SMC Chapter 9.88.
It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, or other public grounds, public places and public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots or other unsupervised places between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and daylight immediately following; provided, however, that the provisions of this section do not apply when the minor is accompanied by his or her parent or parents, guardian, or other adult person having care and custody of the minor, or when the minor is upon an emergency errand directed by his or her parent or guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor, or when the minor is returning directly home from a meeting, entertainment or recreational activity directed, supervised or sponsored by the local school or church authorities or organizations, or when the presence of such minor in the place or places is connected with and required by some legitimate business, trade, profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 13-2025, passed December 3, 2025).
Full Breakdown
88, dates to Ordinance 227 in 1951 and was amended by Ordinance 273 in 1957; it remains in force under the current codification through Ordinance 13-2025. and daylight the following morning. The section carves out four exceptions: the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult with care and custody; the minor is on an emergency errand directed by such an adult; the minor is returning directly home from a meeting, entertainment, or recreational activity directed or sponsored by a local school or church; or the minor's presence is connected with and required by a legitimate business, trade, profession, or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged.
The ordinance does not carry a separate exception for minors simply walking home from a job that is not one of the listed activities, so the enumerated exceptions are exhaustive rather than illustrative. 010. Each instance of either violation is treated as a separate offense under both sections.
Violations & Fines
Both SMC 9.88.010 and 9.88.020 state that each violation constitutes a separate offense, meaning a minor out past curfew on multiple nights, or a parent who repeatedly allows it, can be charged for each instance individually. The chapter does not specify its own penalty schedule, so enforcement follows the code's general penalty provisions in Chapter 1.12 SMC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the juvenile curfew start in the City of Sonoma?
Can parents be cited if their child breaks curfew in the City of Sonoma?
Are there exceptions to the Sonoma curfew for minors coming home from work or school events?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle juvenile curfew.