Costa Mesa, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Costa Mesa Municipal Code Sec. 12-23, titled "Presence in parks after dark," flatly states that no person shall enter upon or engage in any activity in any park, or building or structure on park property, after dark. The only two ways around the closure are a recreation facility or park area specifically designated open by posted signage, or an individual permit issued by the administrative services director under Title 12. The rule traces back to the original 1960 code (former section 10626) and has been carried forward through amendments in 1968, 1996 and 2002, so it is a long-standing, well-established closure rather than a recent addition.

It works together with the separate vehicle rule in Sec. unless the driver is attending a special event authorized during those hours or has a permit designating that vehicle area. Because "park" is defined in Sec. 12-1 to include all grounds, roadways, parking lots, buildings and school facilities under the control of the public services or administrative services director, the after-dark closure sweeps in far more than open grass, covering restrooms, sport courts, parking lots and community buildings on park property as well. Anyone caught in a park after dark without a signage exemption or a director's permit is not just trespassing informally; the presence itself is a distinct Code violation that park staff and police are authorized to enforce.