South Bend, IN Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew time
- 11:00 p.m. local time
- Covers
- Parks, golf courses, pools, pavilions
- Exception
- Written permit for later access
- Fine
- $25.00 under Sec. 19-76
- Repeat conduct
- Up to 1-3 year park ban, Sec. 19-79
Summary
South Bend closes its parks, golf courses, playgrounds, picnic areas, swimming areas and pavilions to the public at 11:00 p.m. Anyone remaining on foot or in a vehicle after that hour without a written permit can be charged with trespassing.
It shall be unlawful for any person to remain in any park, golf course, playground, picnic [area], swimming area, pavilion, or any property under the jurisdiction of the Board of Park Commissioners, either on foot or in vehicles of any type, later than 11:00 p.m. local time, except by written permit. Any person violating the curfew will be charged with trespassing.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Sec. curfew for every park, golf course, playground, picnic area, swimming area, pavilion, or other property under the jurisdiction of the Board of Park Commissioners. local time, unless they hold a written permit allowing later access. The Code treats a curfew violation as trespassing rather than as a stand-alone park offense, which ties the penalty into the City's general trespass enforcement rather than a special park fine schedule. The curfew sits within Article 1 of Chapter 19's park-regulation provisions, alongside related restrictions like Sec. 19-71's two-hour cap on leaving a disabled vehicle in a park and Sec.
19-74's ban on peddlers, vendors and hawkers stopping on parkway rights-of-way. Sec. 19-76 sets the penalty framework for the article's violations: a violation of Sec. 00 fine, one of the sections listed at that lower tier alongside provisions like the vehicle equipment and parkway-turning rules. 00 fine. The Board of Park Commissioners also has separate authority under Sec. 19-79 to ban an individual from parks and park programs for up to one year on a first offense, or three years on a subsequent offense, when necessary for the safety of patrons, employees or property, with an appeal available to the Board within five days of the ban.
Violations & Fines
Remaining in a South Bend park, golf course, playground, picnic area, swimming area or pavilion after 11:00 p.m. without a written permit is charged as trespassing under Sec. 19-75, and Sec. 19-76 sets the fine for that violation at $25.00. Repeat or safety-related conduct can also trigger a separate park-access ban of up to one year, or three years for a subsequent offense, under Sec. 19-79.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do South Bend parks close?
What is the fine for being in a South Bend park after curfew?
Can I get a permit to be in a South Bend park after 11 p.m.?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Bend
Compare South Bend to another location·View the Indiana curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.