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South Bend, IN Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 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.

View official code

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?
Sec. 19-75 sets an 11:00 p.m. curfew for parks, golf courses, playgrounds, picnic areas, swimming areas and pavilions under the Board of Park Commissioners' jurisdiction. Anyone remaining past that hour without a written permit can be charged with trespassing.
What is the fine for being in a South Bend park after curfew?
Sec. 19-76 sets the fine for a Sec. 19-75 curfew violation at $25.00. Fines for other Chapter 19 park violations not specifically listed default to a minimum of $25.00 and a maximum of $2,500.00.
Can I get a permit to be in a South Bend park after 11 p.m.?
Yes. Sec. 19-75 allows presence in a park after the 11:00 p.m. curfew if the person holds a written permit; without one, remaining on foot or in a vehicle after curfew is treated as trespassing.

Sources & Official References

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