West Palm Beach, FL Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Default hours
- Dawn to dusk
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 58-81(b)
- Legal classification
- After-hours entry deemed trespass
- Enforcement authority
- Parks staff and police, Sec. 58-91
- State law tie-in
- F.S. § 810.09 trespass
Summary
City parks and recreational areas are open from dawn to dusk and closed dusk to dawn under Sec. 58-81(b), unless posted signage says otherwise. Entering a park during closed hours is unlawful and is treated as trespass, enforceable by ejection under Sec. 58-91.
(b)Hours and signage for public parks and recreational areas.(1)Unless signage is posted otherwise, parks and recreational areas shall be open from dawn to dusk and closed from dusk to dawn. Public places shall be open and closed according to posted signage.(2)All persons shall obey signage in parks and recreational areas and public places.(3)It shall be unlawful for any person to enter and go upon any park, recreational area or public place in the city during times when said grounds are not opened for the public use.(4)Entry onto park, recreational area or public place during hours when such area is closed shall be deemed a trespass.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 76).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 58-81(b), enacted by Ord. No. 5098-24 (May 13, 2024) as part of a full rewrite of Article III of Chapter 58, sets the default operating hours for city parks, recreational areas and public property: dawn to dusk, closed dusk to dawn, unless signage posts different hours. All persons must obey posted signage in parks, recreational areas and public places. ' Enforcement runs through Sec. 09, Florida's trespass-after-warning statute. Sec. 58-91(a) also allows enforcement through the general penalty in Sec. 09 and Ch. 162 and 166.
Because after-hours entry is classified as trespass, a person who refuses to leave when warned can face criminal trespass charges under state law in addition to city penalties.
Violations & Fines
Entering or remaining in a park after closing is deemed trespass and is enforceable under the general penalty in Sec. 1-13, up to $500.00 or 60 days in jail, plus criminal trespass exposure under F.S. § 810.09 once a person refuses to leave after being warned. City personnel or police may eject violators on the spot under Sec. 58-91.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do West Palm Beach parks close?
What happens if I'm caught in a park after hours?
Do all parks close at the same time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Palm Beach
Florida rules heatmap·Compare West Palm Beach to another location·View the Florida curfew laws overview
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Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Palm Beach County handle park curfew.