Onslow County, NC Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Onslow County Code § 12-35
- Closed hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Days open
- Seven days a week (outside closure)
- Who sets hours
- Board of commissioners
- Exception
- Department staff, officers, permit holders
- General penalty
- Up to $500.00 fine / 6 months (§ 1-6)
Summary
Onslow County closes its parks to the public between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. every night, letting only department employees, officers, and permit holders remain, while otherwise keeping parks open seven days a week.
Sec. 12-35. - Closing and opening hours. No person except employees or officers of the department shall be allowed within the park between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except under permit. The hours of operation of the park will be established by the board of commissioners and may be revised from time to time. All parks may be open seven days a week.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
, except under a permit. The section adds that the hours of operation for the parks are set by the board of commissioners and may be revised from time to time, and clarifies that all parks may be open seven days a week outside the nightly closure window. Because the general permit mechanics in Section 12-4 govern any permit issued under this chapter, a person with an after-hours permit is bound strictly to that permit's terms, and the department can revoke access and forfeit fees paid if those terms are violated.
The nighttime closure sits among other Article I park-conduct rules, including Section 12-5, which bars removing or damaging trees, flowers, or rocks, and Section 12-6, which bars defacing park buildings, signs, or equipment, reflecting the same May 15, 2006 parks ordinance, restated April 5, 2021. Under Section 12-3, the closing-hours rule applies within and upon every park, site, and recreational area under the department's jurisdiction, and under Section 12-2 it operates in addition to the state vehicle and traffic laws already in force in county parks.
Violations & Fines
Remaining in a county park between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. without department employment, official duty, or a permit violates Section 12-35 and is punishable under the general county ordinance penalty in Section 1-6, a fine of up to $500.00, imprisonment of up to six months, or both, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Onslow County parks close?
Can I get permission to be in a county park after hours?
Are Onslow County parks open every day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Onslow County
Compare Onslow County to another location·View the North Carolina curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.