Tacoma, WA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Opens
- 30 min before sunrise
- Closes
- 30 min after sunset
- After hours
- criminal trespass
- Hours can vary
- by Director posting
Summary
Tacoma parks close a half hour after sunset and open a half hour before sunrise; being there when closed is criminal trespass, not just a fine.
Parks are considered open one-half hour before sunrise and closed one-half hour after sunset, unless otherwise expressly determined by the Director or otherwise posted at the park. Any person entering or remaining in a park when it is closed is subject to arrest and prosecution for criminal trespass. Any vehicle remaining in a park when the park is closed may be impounded and any personal property or structure remaining in a park when the park is closed may be removed.
B. The Director may extend open hours for sanctioned events or uses, but only that portion of a park specified by the Director will be open beyond normal hours; other areas of such a park shall remain closed.
C. This section shall not apply to:
1. The police substation at Wapato Park or to any other City facility constructed and operated in a park.
2. Police officers or park employees while on-duty.
3. Sidewalks that are within the right-of-way of a public street, when the street is not within the boundaries of a park. (Ord. 19224 § 2, 1970-11-04; Ord. 24165 § 16, 1988-08-16; Ord. 27630 Ex. A, 2007-07-10; Ord. 28615 Ex. A, 2019-10-01)
Full Breakdown
Tacoma's park code sets default park hours at a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset, unless the Metro Parks Director sets different hours or posts them at the park. Anyone entering or staying in a park while it's closed faces arrest and prosecution for criminal trespass, and any vehicle or property left behind can be impounded or removed. The Director may extend hours for a sanctioned event in only the specified portion of the park; other areas stay closed. Exceptions cover police substations, on-duty staff, and public-street sidewalks running through park boundaries.
Violations & Fines
Being in a closed park is prosecuted as criminal trespass under TMC § 8.27.220(A), a criminal offense, not merely a civil infraction, and vehicles or belongings left behind may be impounded or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Tacoma parks close?
What happens if I'm caught in a Tacoma park after closing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
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Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle park curfew.