Sacramento County, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- General parks
- Director sets posted hours
- American River/Dry Creek Parkway
- closed 1 hr after sunset–sunrise
- Parkway violation
- misdemeanor
- Exceptions
- permit, on-duty officers, commuters
Summary
Sacramento County parks close on hours the Director posts for each facility; entering after closing without a permit is barred under § 9.36.067, and the American River and Dry Creek Parkways carry a specific sunset-to-sunrise misdemeanor closure.
The Director is authorized to promulgate reasonable opening and closing hours for park facilities. No person shall enter, remain in, or camp in or on any park facility during the hours or any part of the hours said facility is closed without a permit from the Director.
B. Prohibition on Being in the American River Parkway and Dry Creek Parkway After Closing. It is unlawful for any person to enter or remain in the American River Parkway or Dry Creek Parkway between the first hour after sunset and sunrise or such other time as is posted by the Director. A violation of this subsection shall constitute a misdemeanor. This section shall not apply to the following:
i. Any on-duty Peace officer, emergency/first responder or County employee;
ii. Any County-sponsored functions or programs; or
iii. Any person who has received a permit or other written authorization from the Director for use of the Parkway after closing hours; or
iv. Persons using the trails for purposes of commuting via foot, bicycle, etc. to and from their place of origin and destination outside of either Parkway. (SCC 36 § 2, 1971; SCC 1700 § 2, 2022)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Sacramento County doesn't set one closing time for every park. County Code § 9.36.067(A) lets the Director of Regional Parks promulgate and post opening and closing hours facility by facility, and bars entering, remaining, or camping in a closed facility without a permit. The American River Parkway and Dry Creek Parkway get a specific rule: § 9.36.067(B) makes it a misdemeanor to be inside either Parkway between one hour after sunset and sunrise, unless posted otherwise. Exceptions cover on-duty peace officers, county-sponsored programs, permit holders, and people commuting through on foot or bike.
Violations & Fines
Entering or remaining in a closed park facility violates § 9.36.067(A), punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor under § 9.36.035. Being in the American River or Dry Creek Parkway after the sunset cutoff is specifically a misdemeanor under § 9.36.067(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Sacramento County parks close?
Is the American River Parkway closed at a set time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California curfew laws overview
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