Charlotte County, FL Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, unless posted
- Exception
- Lighted athletic fields while lights are on
- Exception
- Rented facilities, fishing piers, boat ramps
- Not excepted
- Dedicated canoe/kayak launches
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 60 days jail
- Alcohol curfew
- Banned sunset to sunrise outside redevelopment areas
Summary
Charlotte County closes its parks and recreation facilities every night. Unless a sign says otherwise, no one may use or access a county park between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., with narrow exceptions for lighted fields, rented facilities, and fishing access.
Sec. 1-11-39. - Hours of use. County recreational facilities shall be closed to public use and access, unless otherwise posted, from 9:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. and except as provided in section 1-11-41. Sec. 1-11-40. - Facilities excepted from operating hours. The following listed areas, structures and facilities are excepted from the hours of use regulations set out in section 1-11-39: (1)Lighted athletic facilities, such as playing fields, horse arenas, sports courts, and similar facilities, during any period when the lights are on;(2)County facilities when rented;(3)Fishing piers and boat ramps, not dedicated canoe/kayak launches;(4)The designated connecting roadways or walkways giving access to the foregoing facilities described in (1) through (3); and(5)Park areas not included in the sign-posted areas.
Full Breakdown
Sec. unless otherwise posted. Sec. 1-11-40 lists what is excepted from that curfew: lighted athletic facilities such as playing fields, horse arenas, and sports courts while the lights are on; county facilities that have been rented; fishing piers and boat ramps, but not dedicated canoe or kayak launches; the roadways or walkways connecting to those excepted areas; and any park area not covered by posted signage. The rule applies to every passive park, recreation facility, fishing pier, boat ramp, and other county-owned property devoted to public recreation, per Sec.
1-11-36, and supersedes any conflicting prior ordinance on facility hours. A related nighttime restriction bans alcohol in county parks between sunset and sunrise outside a community redevelopment area, under Sec. 1-11-43, unless a lease or event permit authorizes it. The community services department is required to post each park with signage stating its operating hours, under Sec. 1-11-58.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 1-11-59 makes any violation of the parks article, including the after-hours curfew, punishable under Sec. 1-1-8's general penalty: a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense. Any law enforcement officer or parking enforcement specialist, as defined by Florida Statutes, is authorized to enforce the section under Sec. 1-11-9(i).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Charlotte County parks close?
Is any part of a Charlotte County park open all night?
What's the penalty for being in a Charlotte County park after curfew?
Can I drink alcohol in a Charlotte County park at night?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charlotte County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Charlotte County to another location·View the Florida curfew laws overview
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