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Jefferson County, MO Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Standard hours: ½ hr before sunrise to ½ hr after sunset
Northwest Sports Complex: 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM
High Ridge Civic Center: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, extends to midnight
Enforcement: Sheriff's Office and Park Rangers
Penalty: Up to $1,000 fine and/or 1 year jail

Summary

Jefferson County shuts every County park down for the night: hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset under Section 240.100, and anyone still inside once a park closes is committing a violation. The Parks and Recreation Director can close any park early at will, and a handful of facilities keep separate, later posted hours.

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

Except as set forth in Subsection (B) of this Section and Section 240.150(C) of this Chapter, the hours of operation for all County Parks shall be from one-half (½) hour before sunrise to one-half (½) hour after sunset. Any park may be closed at any time at the discretion of the Director. Any individual in a County Park outside of the hours of operation or when a County Park is closed shall be in violation of this Chapter.

View official code

Full Breakdown

100(A) of the Jefferson County, Missouri, Parks and Recreation Chapter sets the default schedule for every County-owned park: open one-half hour before sunrise, closed one-half hour after sunset. The Director of Parks and Recreation can shorten those hours or close a park entirely at any time, for any reason, without further notice. 100(A). Several parks run on adjusted schedules instead of the sunrise-to-sunset default. 080(F). Brown's Ford Park, Cedar Hill Park, Jefferson County Winter Park and Rockford Park likewise stay open after normal hours for river access and fishing.

M. 040: being present in a closed park is a misdemeanor, enforced by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, including deputies designated as Park Rangers, who can issue citations, summons, or make arrests. A conviction carries up to a $1,000 fine, up to one year in the County Jail, or both, and the case is prosecuted in the Jefferson County Municipal Court by the County Municipal Prosecutor.

Violations & Fines

Being in a County park outside its posted hours, or after the Director has closed it, violates Section 240.030, a Chapter 240 misdemeanor. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, including deputies designated as Park Rangers, enforces the Chapter and can issue citations, summons, or make arrests under Section 240.040. Conviction carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in the County Jail, or both, with the case prosecuted in Jefferson County Municipal Court under Section 240.030(B)-(C).

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do Jefferson County parks close?

By default, County parks close half an hour after sunset and reopen half an hour before sunrise under Section 240.100(A). The Parks and Recreation Director can close a park earlier at any time. A few parks, like Morse Mill, Brown's Ford, Cedar Hill, Jefferson County Winter Park and Rockford Park, allow after-hours river access and fishing despite the general closure.

Can I get in trouble for being in a park after hours?

Yes. Section 240.030 makes it a misdemeanor to be in a County park once it has closed or outside posted hours. The Sheriff's Office and its Park Rangers can cite or arrest violators, and conviction carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to a year in jail, or both.

Do the Northwest Sports Complex and High Ridge Civic Center follow the same hours as other parks?

No. The Northwest Sports Complex runs 8:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. under Section 240.100(B)(3), and the High Ridge Civic Center runs 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. under Section 240.100(B)(4), though a rental agreement can extend that closing time, never past midnight.

Sources & Official References

[1]Jefferson County, MO Code of Ordinances - Park Hours (Sec. 240.100)

Other rules in Jefferson County

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All Jefferson County rules

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