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Chesterfield County, VA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Governing section: County Code Sec. 20-4
Penalty class: Class 4 misdemeanor
Maximum fine: $250.00, Sec. 20-3(a)
Enacted: Ord. of 5-28-2025
Off-trail rule: Restricted at all times, Sec. 20-4(c)
Extra sanction: Ban from future park use, Sec. 20-3(b)

Summary

Chesterfield County bars entering or remaining in any County park outside the hours the Parks and Recreation director designates and posts, under Code Sec. 20-4(a). Limited exceptions cover lighted facilities and permitted special events; off-trail and posted-restricted areas stay closed at all times under Sec. 20-4(c).

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

a.No person shall enter or remain in any park except during such hours as shall be designated and posted by the director as the hours of park operation.b.Persons (i) using a lighted facility or entering a park in compliance with specially posted park hours, or (ii) attending a special event permitted by the County outside of the hours of park operation shall not be in violation of this section if they remain in a park for either of these purposes outside of the posted hours of park operation. However, such persons shall exit the park by the closing time posted for the facility, special hours, or event.c.No person shall utilize areas of a park off established trails, walkways or roadways, or areas specifically posted as restricted at any time.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 20, Article I of the County Code governs conduct in County parks, defined in Sec. 20-1 as "all property owned, maintained or operated by the County for public recreational use," administered by the director of the County's Department of Parks and Recreation or designee. Sec. " The current version of the chapter was adopted by the board of supervisors on May 28, 2025, replacing the county's older park rules with this structure. Sec. " Sec. " Sec. 20-2 provides a chapter-wide exemption for anyone the director specifically authorizes in writing, for County, Commonwealth or federal employees acting within the scope of their employment, and for County agents or independent contractors acting within the scope of their duties. Enforcement runs through Sec. 20-3, the chapter-wide penalty provision, which applies to every rule in Chapter 20 including the hours-of-operation rule.

Violations & Fines

Entering or remaining in a park after posted closing time, or using an area off established trails or a posted-restricted area at any time, is a class 4 misdemeanor under Sec. 20-3(a), punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00. Sec. 20-3(b) separately authorizes the County to prohibit a violator from future use of park property, facilities or services, on top of any criminal fine a court imposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do Chesterfield County parks close?

There is no single countywide closing time written into the code. Sec. 20-4(a) instead bars entering or remaining in any park "except during such hours as shall be designated and posted by the director" of Parks and Recreation, so the closing time is set and posted park by park. Check the sign at the specific park's entrance for its posted hours.

Can I stay in a Chesterfield County park after closing for a lighted field or an event?

Yes. Sec. 20-4(b) exempts people using a lighted facility under specially posted hours, or attending a County-permitted special event held outside normal hours, from the closure violation. You must still exit by the closing time posted for that facility, special hours, or event, or you are in violation of the section.

What happens if I'm caught in a Chesterfield County park after hours?

Sec. 20-3(a) makes any violation of Chapter 20 a class 4 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00. Sec. 20-3(b) separately lets the County prohibit you from future use of park property, facilities, or services, in addition to any fine a court imposes for the misdemeanor.

Are parts of Chesterfield County parks off-limits even during open hours?

Yes. Sec. 20-4(c) prohibits using any area of a park off established trails, walkways or roadways, or any area specifically posted as restricted, at any time, not only after the park closes. This covers wooded buffers, sensitive habitat and other posted no-access zones separate from the hours-of-operation rule.

Sources & Official References

[1]Municode Library - Code of the County of Chesterfield, Virginia, Chapter 20 (Parks and Recreation)

Other rules in Chesterfield County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSignificant Restrictions Juvenile CurfewSignificant Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Cat RulesSome Restrictions

All Chesterfield County rules

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