Murrieta, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Park hours
- Sunrise to sunset citywide
- Vehicles
- Also violate section if left past closing
- Exception
- Written approval from director or city manager
- Enforcement chapter
- Chapter 1.32
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100
- Repeat offense (1 yr)
- Up to $500
Summary
Murrieta closes every city park at sunset and reopens at sunrise under Municipal Code Section 12.08.040. Staying, remaining, or loitering in a park or park building, or leaving a parked vehicle there, after the posted closing time or before the posted opening time is unlawful unless the community services director or city manager approved the activity in writing.
The city of Murrieta parks are open from sunrise to sunset. No person shall be, remain, stay or loiter in any park, or building therein or to leave a parked vehicle after posted closing time or before posted opening time, except when lawfully in attendance at an event approved in writing by the director of community services or city manager.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-23: A Codification of the General Ordinances of the City of Murrieta, California through Ord. 634-26, passed 7-7-2026).
Full Breakdown
040 of the Murrieta Code of Ordinances sets the operating hours for every city park at sunrise to sunset and makes it unlawful to be, remain, stay or loiter in a park or a park building, or to leave a parked vehicle there, before the posted opening time or after the posted closing time. The only way around the curfew is a written exception from the director of community services or the city manager, the same officials who approve evening events such as concerts, tournaments or community services department programming that runs past sunset.
160 lets the city manager or a designee exclude any person or group from a city park, field, facility or open space land when exclusion protects public property or public health, safety or welfare, and lets the city close a reserved area to everyone outside the group that reserved it. 32 of the municipal code. That means a park ranger, code enforcement officer or Murrieta police officer can issue an infraction citation, refer the matter for misdemeanor prosecution, or pursue a civil abatement action, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Because the ordinance covers vehicles left in park lots overnight as well as people, a car parked past closing time at a trailhead or sports complex lot is itself a violation even if no one is present.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the park curfew is an infraction under Chapter 1.32, punishable by a fine up to $100.00; a second violation of the same section within one year rises to $200.00, and a third or later violation within that year rises to $500.00. The city attorney may also prosecute a violation as a misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000.00 in fines, six months in county jail, or both, under Section 1.32.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Murrieta's city parks close?
Can I stay in a Murrieta park after sunset for an event?
What happens if I get caught in a Murrieta park after hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Murrieta
California rules heatmap·Compare Murrieta 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.
Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle park curfew.