Waco, TX Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- Midnight to 6:00 a.m., nightly
- Exempt parks
- Fort Fisher, Brazos Commons, MLK Jr. Park, Indian Spring Park West
- Cameron Park exception
- Vehicular through-traffic only
- After-hours approval
- Written application 30+ days ahead
- Enforcement step
- Warning required before citation/arrest
Summary
Waco parks close to the public between midnight and 6 a.m. every night, and it is unlawful to remain, walk, wander, stroll, or play in a park during those hours. Officers must give a warning and a chance to leave before making an arrest or issuing a citation.
Sec. 17-8. - Park hours. (a)It shall be unlawful for any person to remain, walk, wander, stroll or play on, in or about any public park owned by the city between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. on any night during the week except as provided in this subsection. The hour restrictions shall not apply to Fort Fisher, the Brazos Commons, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Indian Spring Park West or vehicular traffic driving through Cameron Park. The hour restriction shall not apply to any individual participating in an activity sponsored or approved by the parks and recreation commission. A written application must be made to the commission to obtain such approval at least 30 days before the event for which after hours approval is sought.(b)No arrest shall be made or citation issued for a violation of this section without the law enforcement officer or the park ranger first informing the person that he is on, in or about a park during prohibited hours and affording the person an opportunity to leave the park.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).
Full Breakdown
Sec. any night of the week. The curfew carves out specific exceptions by location: it does not apply at Fort Fisher, Brazos Commons, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, or Indian Spring Park West, and it does not restrict vehicular traffic driving through Cameron Park. It also does not apply to anyone participating in an activity sponsored or approved by the parks and recreation commission, but that after-hours approval requires a written application filed with the commission at least 30 days before the event. Sec. 17-8(b) builds a due-process step into enforcement: no officer may arrest or cite a person for being in a park during the prohibited hours without first telling the person they are on, in, or about a park during restricted hours and giving them a chance to leave. The rule traces to Code 1967, § 23-7, and sits in Chapter 17's general parks-conduct article alongside vehicle-operation and alcohol restrictions for city parks.
Violations & Fines
Remaining in a city park between midnight and 6 a.m. outside an exempted park or an approved after-hours activity is a violation of Sec. 17-8(a), but Sec. 17-8(b) requires a law enforcement officer or park ranger to first warn the person that they are in a park during prohibited hours and give them an opportunity to leave before any arrest or citation can be made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Waco's city parks close?
Are any Waco parks open all night?
Can I get an after-hours event approved in a Waco park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waco
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Waco to another location·View the Texas curfew laws overview
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