Thousand Oaks, CA Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Nighttime curfew
- 10:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
- School-day daytime restriction
- 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Parent civil penalty
- Up to $2,500 per violation
- Police-cost bill appeal window
- 15 days
Summary
Thousand Oaks bars minors under 18 from loitering in public places, businesses, or on private property without consent between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Daytime hours during the school week (8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) are also restricted for students who should be in class. Parents or guardians who fail to reasonably supervise a minor caught violating curfew face their own civil penalty.
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) years to loiter in or upon public streets, sidewalks, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places or public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, entertainment places, vacant lots, or be on private property without the express or implied consent of the owner or person having the care and control of such private property, or other unsupervised places between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(c) Minors: Daytime. It is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) years, who is subject to compulsory education or to compulsory continuation education to loiter, idle, wander, or be in or upon the public streets, sidewalks, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement and eating places, vacant lots or any unsupervised place during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on days when school is in session.
(d) Minors: Responsibility of parents and guardians. It shall be unlawful for the parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of a minor under the age of eighteen (18) years to permit such minor to loiter in or upon public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places or public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots or other unsupervised places between the hours of
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-78: 2026 S-78 Supplement contains: Current city legislation passed through March 31, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The nighttime curfew has broad exceptions: it doesn't apply if the minor is with a parent, guardian, or adult spouse; is running an errand for a parent/guardian; is coming straight home from a public meeting or entertainment event; is on their way to or from work or a medical appointment; is in active military service; is exercising First Amendment assembly rights; or is otherwise legally exempt from compulsory education. A separate daytime provision bars minors subject to compulsory education from loitering in public between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on school days. Parents/guardians who fail to exercise reasonable supervision can be assessed a civil penalty, and the City can also bill parents for extraordinary police costs tied to a minor's willful misconduct, with a 15-day window to appeal that bill to the City Manager.
Violations & Fines
Violating the curfew is enforced as a Code violation against the minor. Separately, a parent or guardian who fails to reasonably supervise a minor violating the curfew is liable for a civil penalty of up to $2,500 per violation, recoverable in a civil action by the City Attorney or District Attorney (§ 5-8.02(e)(1)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my teenager be out after 10 p.m. if I'm with them?
What happens if my child is caught out past curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thousand Oaks
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Juvenile Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle juvenile curfew.