Milwaukee County, WI Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Closed hours
- Midnight to sunrise daily
- Lake Michigan parks
- Open at 4:30 a.m.
- Posted hours
- May differ where posted
- Penalty
- $10-$200 forfeiture plus costs
- Ordinance
- Chapter 47.27; 47.29
Summary
Milwaukee County Parks are closed daily between midnight and sunrise under General Ordinances Chapter 47.27, and no person may remain in a park during closed hours. Parks along Lake Michigan open at 4:30 a.m., and violations carry a forfeiture.
Parks, other than those adjacent to Lake Michigan, and parkways shall be closed daily between midnight and sunrise except to vehicular traffic moving along streets or roadways, and except when the department of parks, recreation and culture publishes or posts different closing hours. Parks adjacent to Lake Michigan shall open at 4:30 a.m. No person shall remain in the parks or parkways during the hours they are closed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 112).
Full Breakdown
Milwaukee County directly enforces a park curfew for its park and parkway system through General Ordinances Chapter 47. Section 47.27 provides that parks, other than those adjacent to Lake Michigan, and parkways are closed daily between midnight and sunrise, except for vehicular traffic on streets and except when the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture posts different closing hours. Parks adjacent to Lake Michigan open at 4:30 a.m., and no person may remain in a park during closed hours; posted signage controls where hours differ. Under Section 47.29, a Chapter 47 violation carries a forfeiture of ten to two hundred dollars per offense plus costs, with possible jail if unpaid. Municipal parks have separate hours.
Violations & Fines
Remaining in a county park or parkway during closed hours (generally midnight to sunrise, or before 4:30 a.m. at Lake Michigan parks) violates Section 47.27. Under Section 47.29 the penalty is a $10 to $200 forfeiture per offense plus costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Milwaukee County park hours?
What is the penalty for being in a park after hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee County
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