Moore County, NC Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Moore County Code § 10.5-11
- Entry after posted hours
- unlawful without permission
- Early/partial closure power
- parks director, Sec. 10.5-25
- Ejection authority
- director/staff, Sec. 10.5-26
- Enforcement basis
- G.S. 153A-123, trespass
Summary
Moore County Code § 10.5-11 closes every county park, playground, ball field and recreation facility once its posted hours of operation end: entering or remaining after closing without the county's express permission is a criminal offense. The parks director can also close any area early under Sec. 10.5-25, and staff may eject violators under Sec. 10.5-26.
It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or remain in any public recreation area except during those hours of operation that it is open to the general public, unless express permission has been obtained from the county. ... Any section or part of any public recreation area may be declared closed to the public by the director of the parks and recreation department at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise), and to certain uses. ... The director of the parks and recreation department and any authorized department employee shall have the authority to eject from any public recreation area any person acting in violation of this chapter or in violation of rules and regulations enacted pursuant to this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 5-11 states plainly that "it shall be unlawful for any person to enter or remain in any public recreation area except during those hours of operation that it is open to the general public, unless express permission has been obtained from the county," and the chapter defines "public recreation area" broadly to cover any park, recreation center, playground, swimming pool, ball field, tennis court or other county recreation facility and its parking lot. Beyond the posted closing time, Sec. 5-25 lets the director of the parks and recreation department declare "any section or part of any public recreation area" closed "at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise), and to certain uses," covering everything from a rained-out ball field to an after-hours lockout.
Sec. 5-26 backs the closing rule with an ejection power: the director and any authorized department employee "shall have the authority to eject from any public recreation area any person acting in violation of this chapter," and Sec. S. 153A-123 plus criminal trespass against anyone who refuses to leave once ordered out.
Violations & Fines
The parks chapter carries no set dollar fine of its own; Sec. 10.5-27 instead enforces after-hours entry through the general civil and injunctive remedies of G.S. 153A-123 and treats a refusal to leave as criminal trespass once a department employee orders the person out under Sec. 10.5-26. A repeat or flagrant violator also risks losing reservation privileges under Sec. 10.5-24(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for being in a Moore County park after closing?
Who sets the closing hours for Moore County parks?
What happens if I refuse to leave a closed park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moore County
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