Washington, DC Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Age covered
- Under 18
- Sunday to Thursday
- 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Weekends and summer
- 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m.
- Extended-hours zones
- Designated under 2-1542.01
- Current text
- Partly expires end of 2028
Summary
DC's curfew currently covers minors under 18: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. at weekends and during July and August, with extended hours in specially designated zones. Parts of this text are temporary.
"Minor" means any person under the age of 18 years, but does not include a judicially emancipated minor or a married minor.
Full Breakdown
D.C. Code section 2-1542 defines a minor as any person under 18, excluding emancipated and married minors. Curfew hours run 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, and 12:01 a.m. until 6 a.m. on weekend nights; during July and August the 12:01 a.m. start applies every night. Separately, section 2-1542.01 lets the District designate zones with extended curfew hours. A caution worth stating plainly: the current text reflects 2025 and 2026 amendments, and provisions enacted by D.C. Law 26-140 expire on December 31, 2028, so the ordinance may read differently after that date. The standard defences, parent, work, emergency, First Amendment activity, apply.
Violations & Fines
A minor in violation may be taken into custody and released to a parent or guardian, with parental responsibility provisions attaching for repeat violations under the juvenile curfew article.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DC's curfew for minors right now?
Is this permanent?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
Compare Washington to another location·View the District of Columbia curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.