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Washington County, WI Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Closing hours
10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Applies to
All county-owned public parks and trails
Exception
Permit issued by Planning and Parks Department
Alternate hours
Posted signs when department modifies closing hours
Penalty
$10-$2,000 general forfeiture under § 1-5

Summary

Washington County closes all county-owned public parks and trails between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. under § 179-7B(5), unless a Planning and Parks Department permit authorizes entry or the department posts modified hours on signs at a specific park.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Washington County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

PUBLIC GROUNDS Includes all public parks and trails owned or operated by Washington County. ... Closing hours. To enter or remain upon such grounds between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless authorized by a permit issued by the Planning and Parks Department, or unless the closing hours for any given public grounds are modified by the Planning and Parks Department and the public is notified of a modification by the posting of signs on such grounds.

Full Breakdown

, unless authorized by a permit issued by the Planning and Parks Department, or unless that department has modified the closing hours for a given park and notified the public by posting signs on the grounds. The curfew is one of eighteen park-conduct rules in § 179-7B, which also caps vehicle speed on park roadways at 15 miles per hour, requires all vehicles to park only in marked spaces, bans firearms and fireworks without authorization, and prohibits alcohol consumption on park grounds during closing hours unless the Planning and Parks Department authorizes it.

Violations of the park regulations, including the closing-hours rule, are enforced as citations under Chapter 172, Peace and Good Order, §§ 172-22 and 172-23, meaning a park curfew violation is treated the same way as any other Chapter 172 offense and defaults to the county's general forfeiture in § 1-5 of $10 to $2,000 plus costs of prosecution, since Chapter 179 sets no dollar figure of its own for park violations. The Washington County Fair Park is separately governed under its own incorporated park regulations in § 172-19, which apply the § 179-7 rules to the fairgrounds except where the Fair Park's more specific rules, such as its ban on carrying alcohol in during Fair or public events, conflict.

Violations & Fines

Entering or remaining on county public grounds after closing hours is enforced as a citation under Chapter 172, Peace and Good Order, §§ 172-22 and 172-23, defaulting to the county's general forfeiture under § 1-5: $10 to $2,000 plus costs of prosecution, since Chapter 179 sets no separate park-curfew fine. County Parks and Planning staff or the Sheriff's Office can cite violators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do Washington County parks close?
Under § 179-7B(5), county-owned public parks and trails close at 10:00 p.m. and reopen at 6:00 a.m., unless the Planning and Parks Department has issued a permit to be there after hours or has posted signs modifying the closing hours for that specific park.
Can I get a permit to be in a county park after 10 p.m.?
Yes. Section 179-7B(5) allows entry during closing hours if authorized by a permit issued by the Planning and Parks Department, which also has authority to modify a specific park's closing hours and post signs notifying the public of the change.
What happens if I'm caught in a county park after closing?
The violation is cited under Chapter 172, Peace and Good Order, §§ 172-22 and 172-23, and defaults to the county's general forfeiture in § 1-5: not less than $10 nor more than $2,000, plus costs of prosecution, since Chapter 179 does not set its own park-curfew fine.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washington County

All Washington County rules

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