Rohnert Park, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 10:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Default charge
- Misdemeanor
- Infraction option
- Only if § 1.16.010(B)(1)-(4) applies
- Sign requirement
- 1 sq ft sign, 1-inch lettering
- Exemptions
- Peace officers, authorized city events
- Sports fields/courts
- Close separately 10:30pm-8am
Summary
Rohnert Park closes its city parks overnight. Entering, remaining or loitering in any city park between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. is unlawful under Section 9.62.020, enforced by Public Safety as a misdemeanor unless the citing officer opts to write an infraction instead.
It is unlawful for any person to enter, remain or loiter within any city park between the hours of ten-thirty p.m. and six a.m. of the next day. A violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor unless the citing officer is able to make one of the findings contained in subsections 1.16.010 B (1) through (4) of this code and elects to issue a citation for an infraction.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 9.62.020 makes it unlawful for any person to enter, remain, or loiter within any city park between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning. The rule reaches every posted city park in Rohnert Park, not just fenced or gated facilities, and it stands apart from the broader list of unlawful park acts in Section 9.62.010, which separately bars using a sports court or sports field between 10:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., or at any time after dark where no permanent lighting exists.
The city enforces the overnight closure through signage. Section 9.62.030 requires each park to be posted with signs at least one square foot in area, lettered at least one inch high, reading "ENTERING OR REMAINING IN THIS PARK BETWEEN 10:30 P.M. AND 6:00 A.M. WITHOUT RECREATION DEPARTMENT PERMIT FORBIDDEN." Smaller parks (no dimension over 350 feet) need signs at every corner and at intervals of no more than 150 feet; larger parks need signs at 300-foot intervals plus one at every defined entrance.
Two exemptions apply under Section 9.62.040: on-duty peace officers and other authorized public employees may enter at any hour, and the city manager can authorize organized events that run past curfew. Absent an exemption or a Recreation Department permit, a citation follows. Under Section 9.62.020, the default charge is a misdemeanor; the officer may downgrade it to an infraction only if a finding under Section 1.16.010(B)(1) through (4) applies.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of Section 9.62.020 is charged as a misdemeanor by default. The officer may downgrade it to an infraction only if a finding under Section 1.16.010(B)(1) through (4) applies, such as a low-level or first-time circumstance; absent that finding, the misdemeanor stands, carrying the fine and jail exposure set out in the code's general penalty chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be in a Rohnert Park city park after 10:30 p.m.?
What happens if I'm caught in a park after curfew?
Are there exceptions to the park curfew?
How will I know if a specific park has a curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rohnert Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Rohnert Park to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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How other cities in Sonoma County handle park curfew.