Merced, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours (Mar-Oct)
- 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Curfew hours (Nov-Feb)
- 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Permit issuers
- Police chief, parks director, city manager
- Penalty class
- Misdemeanor, not infraction
- Max fine/jail
- $1,000 fine or 1 year jail
- Added by
- Ord. 2341A (2009); exceptions Ord. 2505 (2019)
Summary
Merced closes its city parks overnight: no one may be or remain in a park listed under Section 9.70.030 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. between March and October, or 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. from November through February, without a permit. The Merced Police Department enforces the curfew as a misdemeanor under the city's general penalty chapter.
A.It is unlawful and a misdemeanor, subject to punishment in accordance with Chapter 1.12 of this code, for any person to be or remain in any city park identified in Section 9.70.030 of this code between hours of nine p.m. and six a.m. of the following day from March 1 to October 31, or between the hours of seven p.m. and six a.m. of the following day from November 1 to February 28/29 without having received a permit to do so from the chief of police of the city, director of parks and recreation, the city manager, or their designees.B.Exceptions to time restrictions shall be permitted for (1) city-sponsored events, (2) annual permit holders in parks with stadium-style lighting, (3) bike and other pedestrian paths when used solely for passive recreational activities of walking, bicycling, running or jogging, and (4) lighted recreation facilities when utilized for the intended recreational purpose during the hours the facility lights are illuminated and in accordance with the posted rules for said facility.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 - 1-26).
Full Breakdown
the following day from November 1 through February 28 (or 29). The only way around the curfew is a permit issued by the chief of police, the director of parks and recreation, the city manager, or one of their designees before entering. Subsection B carves out four standing exceptions that do not require an individual permit: city-sponsored events; annual permit holders using parks equipped with stadium-style lighting; anyone using bike or pedestrian paths solely for passive recreation such as walking, bicycling, running or jogging; and anyone using a lighted recreation facility for its intended purpose while the facility's lights are on and the posted facility rules are followed.
A, a conviction is punishable by a fine of up to one thousand dollars, up to one year in the Merced County jail, or both. 010. The rule was added to the parks chapter by Ordinance No. 2341A in 2009, and the exceptions in subsection B were added later by Ordinance No. 2505 in December 2019, reflecting the city's later decision to accommodate lighted-facility night use and permit holders rather than close every park uniformly after dark.
Violations & Fines
A first-time violation is charged as a misdemeanor, not the lighter infraction track used elsewhere in the parks chapter: Section 1.12.020.A sets the penalty at up to $1,000 in fines, up to one year in the Merced County jail, or both. Police may also simply order a person to leave. Each night unlawfully spent in a closed park is its own offense under Section 1.12.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Merced's city parks close?
Can I get permission to be in a Merced park after curfew?
Are joggers and cyclists exempt from the park curfew?
What is the penalty for being in a Merced park after hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.