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Santa Barbara County, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Santa Barbara County Code Section 26-10 (Park hours)
Opening
No later than 8:00 a.m.
Closing
Sunset
Posted hours
Unlawful to use facilities outside posted hours
Penalty (infraction)
Up to $100 / $200 / $500 (1st / 2nd / additional within a year)
Penalty (misdemeanor)
Up to $500 and/or 6 months jail (Sec. 26-6)

Summary

Under County Code Section 26-10, county park facilities open no later than 8:00 a.m. and close at sunset, and it is unlawful to use park facilities outside the posted hours. The Director of Community Services may set other hours.

City-specific rules exist: Santa Maria has its own park curfew rules that differ from Santa Barbara County's county-level regulations. If you live in Santa Maria, check the city-specific page instead.

Sec. 26-10. Park hours of operation. County park facilities will be open for public use no later than 8:00 a.m. in the morning and will be closed at sunset. The County Director of Community Services is authorized to establish such other hours of operation as may be determined appropriate by the Director of Community Services. It shall be unlawful for any person to use park facilities outside of the hours of operation posted within or at the entry of a county park.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

County park hours in the unincorporated area are set by the Santa Barbara County Code, Chapter 26 (Parks and Recreation). in the morning and will be closed at sunset, and that the County Director of Community Services is authorized to establish such other hours of operation as may be determined appropriate. It is unlawful for any person to use park facilities outside of the hours of operation posted within or at the entry of a county park. Enforcement is handled by the Community Services Department, park operations managers, and park rangers, who are authorized to issue citations under Chapter 26.

Penalties for violating Chapter 26 (Section 26-6) are calibrated as a continuing-violation scheme: a violation may be charged as an infraction or a misdemeanor at the district attorney's discretion. As an infraction, fines run up to $100 for a first violation, up to $200 for a second violation within one year, and up to $500 for each additional violation within a year; as a misdemeanor, the penalty is a fine up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both. Posted hours at a specific park control, so always check the signage at the park entrance.

Violations & Fines

Using county park facilities outside posted hours violates Section 26-10. Under Section 26-6, offenses may be infractions or misdemeanors: infraction fines up to $100 (first), $200 (second within a year), and $500 (each additional within a year); misdemeanor up to $500 and/or six months in jail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do unincorporated Santa Barbara County parks close?
Under County Code Section 26-10, county park facilities open no later than 8:00 a.m. and close at sunset. The Director of Community Services may set other hours, and the hours posted at each park entrance control. Using facilities outside posted hours is unlawful.
What is the penalty for being in a county park after hours?
Under Section 26-6, a violation may be charged as an infraction (fines up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, $500 for each additional within a year) or as a misdemeanor (up to $500 and/or six months in jail), at the district attorney's discretion.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Santa Barbara County

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