Paterson, NJ Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10 p.m.-9 a.m.
- Early reopening
- 5 a.m. for quiet use
- Curfew fine
- $50 flat
- Court costs
- $30 added
- Enforcing agency
- Division of Parks, Police
Summary
Paterson closes every public park from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Loitering after hours draws a flat $50 fine, with narrow exceptions for permitted leagues, police, and city staff on duty.
No person shall be or remain or loiter in any public park between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. with the exception of the following: [Amended 5-24-1988 by Ord. No. 88-015; 11-22-1988 by Ord. No. 88-041; 9-14-2004 by Ord. No. 04-073]
(1) Those persons playing baseball on a designated ball field in a Paterson park as part of a regulated baseball league shall be prohibited from playing baseball between the hours of 10:50 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. All lights provided at designated baseball fields within Paterson parks shall be turned off at 11:00 p.m.
(2) Westside Park shall be opened to members of the public between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. At all other hours, subject to the exception set forth in Subsection A(1) above for a closing hour of 10:50 p.m. and lights off time of 11:00 p.m. for persons playing baseball on a designated ball field in Westside Park as part of a regulated baseball league, Westside Park shall be closed to the public.
(3) The parks are open to the public at 5:00 a.m. for activities that are not noise-generating, such as reading, walking and jogging.
B. No person shall play basketball in Wrigley Park on Sunday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. [Amended 9-14-2004 by Ord. No. 04-073]
C. The provisions of Subsection A of this section shall not apply to:
(1) Members of the police force.
(2) Park officials.
(3)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 363-6, no one may be, remain, or loiter in any Paterson public park between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Parks reopen at 5:00 a.m. for quiet, non-noise activities like walking, jogging, and reading. Ballfield leagues must clear designated fields by 10:50 p.m., with lights off by 11:00 p.m. Westside Park keeps its own 9:00 a.m.-to-10:00 p.m. public hours. Police officers, park officials, and on-duty city employees are exempt, and the Parks Division may set a different closing hour for an authorized special event. Violating the curfew carries a flat $50 fine plus $30 in court costs, payable at the Violations Bureau without a court appearance.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 363-6 is punishable by a $50 fine plus $30 in court costs under N.J. Court Rule 7:11-4, payable at the Violations Bureau without a court appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk or jog in a Paterson park before sunrise?
Does the park curfew apply to youth baseball games?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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