Whittier, CA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Two distinct City of Whittier ordinances govern when people - especially minors - may be in parks. First, park hours: under Whittier Municipal Code Section 12.44.030 (Public Parks and Playgrounds), the city council sets park operating hours by resolution, and once hours are posted it is unlawful for any person to enter, loiter or remain in a public park or playground when it is closed. The city publishes that parks are generally open from sunrise to 10:00 p.m. except where noted (the Skate Park runs sunrise to sunset). Second, the nighttime juvenile curfew, Whittier Municipal Code Chapter 9.40: Section 9.40.020 defines 'curfew hours' as 'the period from ten p.m. any evening of the week, until six a.m. the following day' and a 'minor' as 'any person under eighteen years of age.' Section 9.40.030 makes it unlawful for a minor to be present in any public place (which includes parks) or on the premises of any establishment during curfew hours, and also holds parents/guardians and business operators responsible. Recognized defenses (Sec. 9.40.040) include being accompanied by a parent/responsible adult, traveling to/from work, emergencies, exercising First Amendment rights, and emancipation. Penalties (Sec. 9.40.060) make a violating minor's offense a misdemeanor (handled in juvenile court) while parents/operators commit an infraction with fines of up to $100 (first), $200 (second within a year), and $500 (each additional within a year). Whittier also has a separate daytime curfew (Ch. 9.42) barring school-age minors (6-18) from public places between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on school days. These are city ordinances; unincorporated South/West/East Whittier areas fall under Los Angeles County and its curfew rules instead.