Washington, DC Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing agency
- Dept. of Parks and Recreation (DPR)
- Enforcement
- Metropolitan Police Department
- Max fine
- $100
- Max jail time
- 90 days
- Event permit lead time
- 30 days advance letter to DPR
Summary
The Department of Parks and Recreation's Director sets each park's operating hours under D.C. Code § 10-137.01, and being in a park after posted hours is a violation the Metropolitan Police Department can enforce directly. The Director may also close all or part of any park to public use. Breaking a posted schedule carries a fine of up to $100 or up to 90 days in jail, or both.
(b) The Director of the Department may: (1) Establish a reasonable schedule of hours for the operation of parks; (2) Impose limits, conditions, and restrictions on the public use of parks; (3) Close all or a portion of a park area to public use or to a specific use or activity; or (4) Terminate a limit, condition, restriction, or any other decision made pursuant to this subsection. ... (e) Violating a closure, designation, use or activity restriction or condition, schedule of visiting hours, or public use limit is prohibited. The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department may enforce the provisions contained in subsection (b) of this section. Any person violating the provisions of subsection (b) of this section may be punished by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
Full Breakdown
C. 01 gives the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) broad management authority over District parks, adopted to protect public health and safety, environmental and scenic values, and to reduce conflict among park visitors. Under subsection (b), the Director may establish a reasonable schedule of hours for the operation of parks, impose limits and restrictions on public use, close all or a portion of a park to public use or to a specific activity, or later terminate any such limit or closure.
C. Register and in a major Washington-area newspaper before it takes effect, and to prepare a written determination explaining why the restriction is needed and why a less restrictive measure will not work, except in an emergency. Subsection (d) lets the Director run a permit, registration, or reservation system to manage public use limits; a group wanting an exception can apply by letter to DPR at least 30 days before an event, describing the date, hours, nature of the event, and expected attendance. C. C.
C. Law 20-271 (2015), which renamed the agency to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Enforcement runs through subsection (e): the Metropolitan Police Department may enforce any closure, use restriction, or posted hours schedule adopted under subsection (b).
Violations & Fines
Being present in a park after its posted closing hours, ignoring a use restriction, or entering a closed area violates D.C. Code § 10-137.01(e). The Metropolitan Police Department enforces the rule, and a conviction carries a fine of not more than $100, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. Each closure or hours schedule must first be posted or adopted by DPR rulemaking to be enforceable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do DC parks close?
What happens if I'm caught in a DC park after hours?
Can DPR close an entire DC park?
Does DPR have to give public notice before changing park hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
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