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Marin County, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

General park hours
daylight only, § 10.01.060
Closure authority
department restricts access, § 10.01.070
Bel Marin Keys rule
after-sunset access unlawful
Bel Marin Keys fines
$100 / $200 / $500 tiers
Signage required
every 400 feet, § 11.36.090

Summary

Marin County parks open to the public only during daylight hours under Section 10.01.060, unless the Department of Parks and Open Space permits otherwise. In the Bel Marin Keys area, Section 11.36.085 goes further, making it unlawful to enter any park, open space or shoreline area after sunset.

City-specific rules exist: San Rafael has its own park curfew rules that differ from Marin County's county-level regulations. If you live in San Rafael, check the city-specific page instead.

Parks are open to the public for use during daylight hours, or as otherwise permitted, in accordance with the provisions of these regulations.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 2026 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

060 opens county parks to the public "during daylight hours, or as otherwise permitted, in accordance with the provisions of these regulations," meaning after-dark access across the Marin County Parks system depends on whatever the Department of Parks and Open Space posts for a given site. 050 authorizes any department employee, designee or peace officer to eject anyone remaining after hours or after consent to be there has been withdrawn. Bel Marin Keys goes further than the general daylight-hours rule. 085(2)(b) of the Watercraft Regulation chapter, which also governs the parks, open space and shoreline areas the Bel Marin Keys Community Services District owns or maintains, makes it unlawful to perform "Accessing any park, open space or shoreline area after sunset," alongside separate bans on fishing, unleashed dogs, open fires and overnight vehicle parking in those same areas.

090 requires the district to post signs at every entrance and at intervals of no more than four hundred feet stating the prohibited activities and warning that a violation is an infraction. 100 then sets the fine: up to one hundred dollars for a first conviction, up to two hundred dollars for a second conviction within a year, and up to five hundred dollars for a third or later conviction in that year.

Violations & Fines

Accessing a Bel Marin Keys park, open space or shoreline area after sunset is an infraction under Sections 11.36.085(2)(b) and 11.36.100, fined up to one hundred dollars for a first conviction, up to two hundred dollars for a second conviction within a year, and up to five hundred dollars after that. Elsewhere in the county park system, using a park outside posted daylight hours or after being told to leave violates Sections 10.01.060 and 10.01.070, and rangers can eject violators on the spot under Section 10.01.050.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hours are Marin County parks open?
Section 10.01.060 opens county parks to the public during daylight hours, or during whatever hours the Department of Parks and Open Space otherwise permits for a specific site. The department can also close a park entirely under Section 10.01.070 for an emergency or for health, safety, maintenance or management reasons.
Is it illegal to be in a Bel Marin Keys park after dark?
Yes. Section 11.36.085(2)(b) makes accessing any park, open space or shoreline area the Bel Marin Keys Community Services District owns or maintains unlawful after sunset, and Section 11.36.100 makes the violation an infraction punishable by a fine.
How much is the fine for entering a Bel Marin Keys park after sunset?
Section 11.36.100 sets a fine of up to one hundred dollars for a first conviction, up to two hundred dollars for a second conviction within a year, and up to five hundred dollars for a third or later conviction within that year.
Does the county have to post signs about after-hours restrictions?
In Bel Marin Keys, yes. Section 11.36.090 requires signs at every entrance and at intervals of no more than four hundred feet stating the prohibited activities and warning that a violation is an infraction punishable by law.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Marin County

All Marin County rules

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