Detroit, MI Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard closure
- 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily
- Enforced by
- Recreation Department and Police Department
- Max penalty
- $500 fine, 90 days jail, or both
- Emergency early closure
- Police Chief can order anytime
Summary
Detroit closes all city parks and public places nightly from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; loitering, picnicking, or congregating during that window is prohibited unless posted signs allow different hours.
All City parks and public places, as defined in Section 33-1-1 of this Code, shall be closed to the public from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., unless posted signs designate a different period of closure. No person shall congregate, loiter, party, picnic, or remain upon or within any City park or public place during the time of closure.(b)Under circumstances considered by the Police Department to be hazardous to the public health, safety or welfare, the Chief of Police, or the Chief's designee, is authorized to temporarily close any park or public place at any hour. No person shall loiter or remain within a park or public place after an order to vacate has been given by the Police Department. Each such closing shall be documented in a report that is prepared by the Chief of Police, or the Chief's designee, and filed with the City Clerk for transmittal to the City Council. (Code 1964, § 42-1-20; Code 1984, §§ 40-1-19, 40-1-15; Ord. No. 28-15, § 1(40-1-15), eff. 12-2-2015)
Cross reference— Loitering generally, § 31-5-7.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Detroit's Recreation Department code sets a citywide curfew for parks and public places: closed to the public from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. every day unless posted signage sets different hours. During closure, no one is allowed to congregate, loiter, party, picnic, or remain in a park or public place. The Police Department can also order an early closure at any hour when conditions are hazardous to public health, safety, or welfare, and anyone who stays after a vacate order has been given is in violation. Each emergency closure gets documented and reported to the City Council.
Violations & Fines
Congregating, loitering, or remaining in a park after 10:00 p.m. (or after a police-ordered early closure) is a misdemeanor under Section 33-1-3, punishable by up to a $500 fine, 90 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Detroit parks close?
Can Detroit close a park earlier than 10 p.m.?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle park curfew.