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Glenn County, CA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing law
Glenn County Code Ch. 10.38
Covers
Minors under 18 during school hours
Max fine
$250.00 per infraction
Community service cap
20 hours within 30 days
Second citation
Parent or guardian also cited
Adopted
Ordinance 1206, 2009

Summary

In unincorporated Glenn County, any minor under 18 who is subject to compulsory education cannot loiter, wander, idle or play in public streets, parks, playgrounds or other public places while school is in session. Glenn County Code Chapter 10.38 makes this an infraction, with citations issued by a peace officer or school official and fines up to $250.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Glenn County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Minors. It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years, who is subject to compulsory education or to compulsory continuation education, to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in or upon public street, highway, road, alley, park, playground, parking area, public place or public building, place of amusement or eating place, vacant lot, or any place open to the public, or to refuse the specific direction of a parent, guardian, or other adult person having care and custody of the minor, to leave his or her place of residence for the purpose of attending school, in the County of Glenn, State of California, during those hours that his or her school is in session.

Full Breakdown

020(A) of the Glenn County Code bars any minor under 18 who is subject to compulsory or continuation education from loitering, idling, wandering, strolling or playing on any public street, highway, road, alley, park, playground, parking area, public place or building, place of amusement, eating place, vacant lot, or any other place open to the public in the County of Glenn during hours that the minor's school is in session. The same section makes it unlawful for a minor to refuse a parent's or guardian's specific direction to leave a place other than home for the purpose of attending school.

030 lists valid excuses that exempt a minor from citation: being accompanied by a parent or guardian, running an emergency errand at a parent's direction, traveling directly to or from school-approved employment or a medical appointment with proof in hand, holding a valid school-issued off-campus permit, attending a school-sponsored activity, or responding to a parent's medical emergency. 040, a peace officer or designated school official who catches a violation may cite the minor and also detain the minor until a parent takes custody, transport the minor home, or transport the minor back to school. 020(B). The Board of Supervisors adopted the chapter by Ordinance 1206 in 2009 to curb unsupervised daytime activity by truant minors.

Violations & Fines

A minor's first violation of Section 10.38.020(A) is an infraction punishable by a fine up to $250.00 and/or up to 20 hours of community service completed within 30 days, outside the minor's school or work hours (Section 10.38.050). A parent or guardian cited under Section 10.38.020(B) for permitting the violation faces the same $250.00 maximum fine. Section 10.38.060 requires the cited minor's parent or guardian to attend the court hearing; if they do not appear, the court continues the hearing and cites the parent or guardian directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a peace officer stop my child for being out during school hours in Glenn County?
Yes. Under Section 10.38.020(A), any minor subject to compulsory education who is loitering in a public place while school is in session can be cited, unless a valid excuse under Section 10.38.030 applies, such as traveling to a medical appointment or being accompanied by a parent.
What happens if my child gets cited a second time?
Section 10.38.040 lets a peace officer also cite the minor's parent or guardian on a second or subsequent violation of Section 10.38.020(A). The parent or guardian then faces the same $250.00 maximum fine under Section 10.38.050 for violating Section 10.38.020(B), the provision covering insufficient parental control.
Do parents have to show up in court for a truancy citation?
Yes. Section 10.38.060 requires the parent, legal guardian, or other adult with custody to attend the court hearing with the cited minor. If they fail to appear, the court continues the hearing and issues a separate citation directing them to attend the rescheduled date.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Glenn County

All Glenn County rules

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