St. Joseph County, IN Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- No remaining in park facilities after closing
- Exception
- Written superintendent permission required
- Enforced by
- County park rangers (IC 36-1-6, 9-30-11)
- Fine
- Set by county fee schedule (§131.99(B))
- Vehicle left after hours
- May be towed at owner's expense
Summary
St. Joseph County parks are not open around the clock: Code Section 131.29(C) makes it unlawful to remain in or use any county park facility once the park has closed for the day, unless the superintendent or a designated agent has given specific written permission first. Rangers deputized under state law enforce the rule and can write a notice of violation on the spot.
(C)No person shall remain in or use any part of the facilities of the park during the times the park is closed unless by specific written permission from the superintendent or his or her designated agent.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
29 sits in the county's park-rules subchapter, Chapter 131, which governs every park, facility and piece of land "owned, leased, controlled or used by the St. 28(1) separately makes it unlawful to disregard posted notices, regulations, or a park sign concerning any facility under the board's control, reinforcing the after-hours rule. 36 deputizes certain park and recreation department employees as rangers with the power to issue notices of violation, prepared and issued in accordance with IC 36-1-6 and IC 9-30-11, with the specific employee positions designated by the park board itself. 31(E) allows the county to tow, at the owner's expense, any vehicle left in a park after closing. 99(B).
Violations & Fines
Staying in a county park after posted closing time without the superintendent's written permission is a Section 131.29 violation, fined under the county's schedule of fines and fees per Section 131.99(B), which covers Sections 131.20 through 131.36. Park rangers, deputized under IC 36-1-6 and IC 9-30-11, can issue the notice of violation directly, and any vehicle left in the park after hours can be towed at the owner's expense under Section 131.31(E).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do St. Joseph County parks close?
Can I get permission to stay in a park after closing?
Who enforces the county park curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Joseph County
Compare St. Joseph County to another location·View the Indiana curfew laws overview
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