Ocala, FL Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Section 46-211, opening Division 2 of Chapter 46's Article IV, states that except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, city parks are open to the public every day of the year during designated hours, and that the opening and closing hours for each individual park are set by the recreation and parks director and posted at that park for public information. There is no single citywide closing time printed in the code; each park's hours are whatever the director sets and posts on-site. Section 46-212 gives the director broader authority to declare any section or part of any park closed to the public at any time, for any interval, and at regular or stated intervals, whether daily or otherwise, entirely or merely as to certain uses, whenever the director finds it reasonably necessary.

Together the two sections let the city vary hours park-by-park and close all or part of a park temporarily, such as for maintenance, storm damage, special events, or safety concerns, without amending the ordinance itself. Enforcement of both sections runs through police department officers and recreation and parks employees under § 46-3, which makes it unlawful to do any act chapter 46 forbids or to disobey a lawful order from those officers or employees. Since neither § 46-211 nor § 46-212 sets its own fine, a violation, such as remaining in a park or closed area after posted hours, defaults to the citywide general penalty at § 1-9: up to a $500.00 fine, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both, with each continuing day a separate offense.