Tacoma, WA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 12:01 a.m.–6:00 a.m.
- Applies to
- anyone under 18
- Max penalty
- $250 civil infraction
- Common defense
- accompanied by parent/guardian
Summary
Minors under 18 in Tacoma cannot be in any public place or business establishment between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Parents who knowingly permit it, and operators who facilitate it, are separately liable.
A minor commits an offense if he or she goes to, is at, or remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during curfew hours.
B. A parent or guardian of a minor commits an offense if he or she knowingly permits, or, by insufficient lawful control, allows the minor to go to, be at, or remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the curfew hours.
C. A parent or guardian commits an offense if he or she fails to appear to take the minor into custody after contact from a Tacoma police officer, pursuant to the Temporary Custody Procedure.
D. A person or operator, as defined herein, commits an offense if that person or operator encourages, or affirmatively facilitates, a violation of this chapter by a minor. (Ord. 25629 § 1, 1994-11-15; Ord. 25832 § 1, 1996-01-23; Ord. 27112 § 2, 2003-07-01)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4946110; v22 updated 2026-07-28).
Full Breakdown
Tacoma Municipal Code § 8.109.010 sets curfew hours at 12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. Under § 8.109.020, a minor commits an offense simply by being in a public place or on an establishment's premises during those hours; a parent or guardian who knowingly permits it, or an operator who facilitates it, is separately liable. Section 8.109.030 lists defenses, being accompanied by a parent or adult family member, running a supervised errand, coming home from work or a school/religious activity, or exercising First Amendment rights. Police must ask a minor's age and reason before citing, and attempt the Temporary Custody Procedure first.
Violations & Fines
A minor stopped in public during curfew hours faces a civil infraction of up to $250; a parent who knowingly allowed it, or an operator who facilitated it, can also be cited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Tacoma's juvenile curfew start?
Can a minor be out late coming home from work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
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