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DeKalb County, GA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

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

Key Facts

Opens
7:00 a.m. daily
Standard close
sunset
Lighted areas close
11:00 p.m.
Applies to
unincorporated DeKalb County parks only

Summary

DeKalb County parks and recreation facilities open at 7:00 a.m. and close at sunset, or 11:00 p.m. only in lighted areas still in use, under unincorporated-county Code § 19-26.

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

Parks and recreation facilities shall open at 7:00 a.m., and shall close at sunset, except that parks containing lighting for night use shall close at 11:00 p.m. Only those areas of park and recreation facilities which are illuminated and in use at night shall be interpreted as being open. All other portions of the facilities if not illuminated are considered to be closed. Applicable closing signs shall be conspicuously posted at all park and recreation facilities and any deviation from these times must be approved in writing by the county.

(Code 1976, § 2-6002)

Source: Municode LibraryView official code

Full Breakdown

Under DeKalb County Code § 19-26, county parks and recreation facilities in the unincorporated area open at 7:00 a.m. and close at sunset. Parks with lighting for night use stay open until 11:00 p.m., but only in the illuminated areas actually in use at night, unlit sections are treated as closed even during those hours. Closing signs must be posted at every facility, and any change to these hours requires written county approval.

Violations & Fines

Being in a county park after posted closing hours is a Code violation prosecuted under the general penalty, § 1-10: up to a $500 citation fine or $1,000 and 120 days jail if personally served.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay in a DeKalb County park after sunset?
Only in areas that are lit and in use for night activities; those close at 11:00 p.m., while unlit park areas count as closed at sunset under Code § 19-26.
Does this curfew apply inside cities like Decatur or Dunwoody?
No. This is a county ordinance covering unincorporated DeKalb parks only; incorporated cities set their own park hours.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in DeKalb County

All DeKalb County rules

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