Monterey County, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Monterey County Code § 14.12.050(A) lists prohibited conduct inside County parks, land and facilities the Board of Supervisors owns, operates or manages under § 14.12.010.G. Item 12 makes it unlawful to enter or remain in any County park area after the posted closing time unless the visitor holds a permit authorizing after-hours access, such as a camping or special-event permit. Closing times are posted at each park rather than fixed by ordinance, because § 14.12.020.G separately lets the Director or a sworn Sheriff's Office employee close any County park or portion of one, or restrict its open hours, whenever there is good cause: unreasonable fire hazard, dangerous weather or water conditions, watershed protection, construction, conservation of fish and game, excessive boat traffic, unsafe shoreline or road conditions, or any dangerous or unhealthy condition.

Overnight campers are the main exception; § 14.12.070 lets the Director issue camping permits for up to fifteen consecutive days, and campsites must be physically occupied at least once every twenty-four hours. Quiet hours inside camping areas run from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. under § 14.12.070.I, separate from the park's general closing time. Because 'County park' means land the Board of Supervisors governs under § 14.12.010.G, this closing-time rule applies at County-run parks like Toro Park, Jacks Peak, Laguna Seca Recreation Area and the Lake San Antonio and Lake Nacimiento areas; parks run by incorporated cities such as Monterey, Salinas or Carmel-by-the-Sea set their own hours under separate city ordinances. Rangers and Sheriff's Office safety employees enforce the closing-time rule under § 14.12.130 and may issue administrative citations or expel violators.