Sacramento, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Default hours
- Closed sunset to sunrise, all city parks
- Governing section
- Sacramento City Code § 12.72.090
- Extended-hours authority
- Director + police chief concurrence, by resolution
- Early/late closure authority
- Police chief may close before sunset for safety threats
- Repeat-violation penalty
- Misdemeanor after 2+ violations in 6 months
- Max fine
- $1,000 plus up to 6 months incarceration
Summary
Sacramento parks close from sunset to sunrise citywide under City Code § 12.72.090. Loitering or remaining in a park after dark is prohibited except at lighted facilities the city has designated by resolution, and repeat violators face misdemeanor penalties.
A. No person shall remain or loiter in any public park before sunrise or after sunset, except at lighted recreational facilities within parks as set forth by resolution pursuant to Section 12.72.230. ... D. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, the chief of police, with the concurrence of the director, may order any park closed before sunset and after sunrise when he or she determines that activities constituting a threat to public health, safety or welfare have occurred or are occurring in the park and that such closing is necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare. At least one sign designating the hours when the park is closed shall be installed prominently in the park.
Full Breakdown
Sacramento City Code § 12.72.090 makes it unlawful for any person to remain or loiter in a public park before sunrise or after sunset, with the narrow exception of lighted recreational facilities the parks director has designated by resolution under § 12.72.230. The prohibition does not apply to someone on an emergency errand, to a person attending a permitted assembly, meeting, entertainment event, recreation activity or dance that is sponsored or co-sponsored by the parks department or covered by a park use permit or a special event permit under Chapter 12.48, to a person leaving the park immediately after such an activity ends, or to a peace officer, city employee or security guard on duty.
Beyond the fixed sunset/sunrise line, § 12.72.090(C) lets the director, with the police chief's concurrence, designate extended park hours for specific parks when doing so supports sound use of park resources and recreation without harming public health, safety or welfare. Conversely, § 12.72.090(D) lets the police chief, with the director's concurrence, order a park closed even earlier than sunset or later than sunrise when activities threatening public health, safety or welfare are occurring there; at least one sign stating the closure hours must be posted prominently, and loitering during an ordered closure is separately unlawful.
Enforcement sits with the parks department, park rangers and city police under § 12.72.020(F). That companion section classifies most Chapter 12.72 violations as infractions but escalates repeat conduct: anyone who violates the chapter more than twice in a six-month period is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
A first park-hours violation is an infraction under § 12.72.020(B). More than two violations of Chapter 12.72 within a six-month period is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to six months' incarceration, and probation with a stay-away order barring the person from the park or building where the last violation occurred, per § 12.72.020(D). Park rangers and Sacramento police officers enforce the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Sacramento's city parks close?
Can police close a Sacramento park early?
What happens if I'm caught in a Sacramento park after hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle park curfew.