Bothell, WA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Bothell Municipal Code § 8.60.030 gives every park in the City of Bothell, Washington the same schedule. Parks open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset, unless otherwise permitted or posted, so a park with a posted schedule follows its sign. The city must publish hours and times of operation at the main entrances of each park area. The rule reaches any "Bothell park," which BMC 8.60.020(D) defines as any area under the ownership, management, or control of the city of Bothell parks and recreation department for parks and recreation purposes.

After closing time, no person can enter or be present in a Bothell park without written permission of the parks and recreation director or the director's designee. Vehicles follow the same clock. BMC 8.60.100 bars parking, leaving standing, or abandoning a motor vehicle in a park after closing time unless the owner is camping in a designated area or has the director's permission, and a vehicle parked in violation can be towed away at the owner's expense. Boats are covered as well: BMC 8.60.150 prohibits mooring, anchoring, docking or berthing a boat or other object overnight in a Bothell park or its associated marine area, which BMC 8.60.020(C) defines as water within 100 feet of a park or marine facility, unless the area is designated for that use. Camping is its own rule under BMC 8.60.190: only in designated areas, where written permission has been granted, or for a parks and recreation department sponsored event.

BMC 8.60.390 sets the enforcement approach. The Bothell Police Department and the parks and recreation department both oversee park safety, the primary method of enforcement is requesting voluntary compliance, and citations are issued only by personnel specifically commissioned for that purpose. Parks staff trained at the director's request receive training to issue warning citations only.