Ventura County, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Hours set by
- Parks Director, posted at entrance
- Covers
- Remaining, occupying, facility use, parked vehicles
- Camping exception
- Valid Article 9 camping permit
- Early closure grounds
- Hazard, repair, weather, full lot
- Fine
- $45 per violation
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 4600, 5-10-2022
Summary
Ventura County Ordinance Code § 6305-7 makes it unlawful to remain in a County Park, occupy its grounds, use its facilities or equipment, or let a vehicle remain there outside the hours the Parks Director sets and posts at the park entrance. The only carve-out is for people holding valid camping permits under Article 9 of the parks chapter.
No person, except those having valid camping permits as provided in Article 9 of this Chapter, shall remain upon the grounds of a County Park or occupy the grounds of such County Park, or use any of the facilities or equipment therein, or permit any vehicle to remain therein, except during such periods as set by the Director and posted at the entrance. Hours may be extended by the Director and notice of those hours posted in the particular County Park facility affected.
(Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
The county does not fix a single closing time in the ordinance. Instead, § 6305-7 delegates hours to the Director, who sets them and posts them at the entrance, so the posted sign at a given County Park is the operative curfew for that park. The Director may also extend hours, with notice of those hours posted in the particular County Park facility affected. The section covers more than lingering after dark: it reaches remaining upon the grounds, occupying them, using any facilities or equipment, and permitting a vehicle to remain, so a car left in the lot after closing violates the section even if its owner has left on foot.
Campers holding valid permits under Article 9 are the sole exception written into the rule. A companion provision, § 6305-8, lets the Director close a park or a section of it early for hazardous conditions, repairs, full parking, bad weather, or emergency staging, meaning posted hours can contract when conditions require. The current section text was adopted by Ordinance No. 4600 on May 10, 2022.
Violations & Fines
Remaining in a closed County Park after posted hours is a misdemeanor or infraction under § 6301-1, carrying a $45 fine per violation under § 6303-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Ventura County parks close?
Can I leave my car in the lot after hours?
Is anyone allowed to stay after hours?
Can a park close before its posted time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County 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.