Hillsborough County, FL Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Unfenced parks
- sunset to sunrise closed
- Fenced parks
- closed at gate-lock
- Trails/greenways
- sunrise-to-sunset only
- After-hours penalty
- trespass violation
Summary
Unfenced Hillsborough County parks close between sunset and sunrise; fenced parks close when the gates lock, and staying after hours is a trespass violation.
No person shall be or remain in any park that is not fenced-in or equipped with gates, between sunset and sunrise of the following day, or as otherwise specifically posted. This shall not apply to 24-hour facilities or areas located within the parks, or areas of the parks where lighting is provided for a specific activity that takes place after sunset; whereupon, persons or vehicles may pass through the applicable parks, without stopping, on the most direct walk or driveway leading from their point of entrance to the exit nearest to their point of destination.
(3) Certain areas of the parks that are designated for daylight use only (example: trails, greenways, linear parks) shall only be used from sunrise to sunset.
(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to law enforcement officers, or Department officials while in the discharge of their duties.
(5) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to persons having a written permit issued by the Department that allows such persons to be or remain in any part of the parks when the park is closed to the public.
(6) The Director has the authority to change and/or establish exceptions to the opening and closing hours set forth above when it is in the interest of the public's health, safety
Full Breakdown
County Code Sec. 38-20(b) bars anyone from remaining in an unfenced park between sunset and sunrise (or as posted), and from a gated park after the gates close for the night. Trail, greenway and linear-park segments marked for daylight use only run sunrise to sunset. Presence after hours is treated as trespass under Florida law, unless the person holds a Department-issued permit or is a law enforcement/Department official on duty.
Violations & Fines
Staying past closing without a permit is a trespass violation prosecuted under Florida Statutes; the Director can post site-specific exceptions that must be obeyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stay in a Hillsborough County park after dark?
What happens if I'm caught in a park after closing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hillsborough County to another location·View the Florida curfew laws overview
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