Huntington Beach, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- Exception
- Authorized community activities in the park
- Emergency closure authority
- Director, park ranger or police officer
- Reopening authority
- Council, City Manager, Director, ranger or police
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $500 fine/3 months jail
- Enforced by
- Park rangers, limited peace-officer status
Summary
Huntington Beach parks close to the public between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. under Municipal Code § 13.48.130, with an exception only for authorized community activities already underway. The Director of Community Services, a park ranger, or police can also shut a park early for an emergency or safety reason, and violating the curfew is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine or three months in jail.
No person shall remain, stay or loiter on or about any such park between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. of the following day provided that this section shall not apply to attendance at authorized community activities in the park. Any park, recreation center or part or portion thereof may be closed to the public during an emergency, or when it has been determined by the Director, a park ranger or police officer that the public health, safety or morals require such action. Such park, recreation center or part or portion thereof shall not be reopened except by order of the City Council, City Manager, director, a park ranger or police officer.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).
Full Breakdown
the following day. m. Beyond the nightly curfew, the same section gives the Director of Community Services, a park ranger, or a police officer authority to close all or part of any park or recreation center at any time an emergency exists or the 'public health, safety or morals' require it, a broader discretionary closure power separate from the fixed overnight hours. A park closed under that authority stays closed until the City Council, City Manager, the Director, a park ranger, or a police officer orders it reopened, meaning field staff can shut a park down but reopening can also be authorized at that same field level rather than requiring Council action. 5. 150: up to a $500 fine, up to three months in county jail, or both.
Violations & Fines
Remaining, staying or loitering in a Huntington Beach park between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., or ignoring an emergency park closure ordered under § 13.48.130, is a misdemeanor under the Chapter 13.48 penalty in § 13.48.150: a fine of up to $500, up to three months in county jail, or both. Park rangers with limited peace-officer authority under § 13.48.015 can cite or arrest violators directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Huntington Beach city parks close?
Can Huntington Beach close a park before 10 p.m.?
What happens if someone is caught in a Huntington Beach park after curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Huntington Beach to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle park curfew.