Virginia Statewide Rule

Virginia Juvenile Curfew Local Authority Statute

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Virginia (2026)

Key Facts

Enabling statute: Va. Code § 15.2-926
Penalty class: Class 3 misdemeanor max
Fine cap: $500; no jail
Time window: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Required exceptions: First Amendment, work, emergency

Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Virginia Legislative Information System

Summary

Virginia authorizes localities to enact juvenile curfew ordinances under specific enabling statutes, with state law setting maximum penalties and constitutional safeguards uniformly.

§ 15.2-926 . Prohibiting loitering; frequenting amusements and curfew for minors; penalty. A. Any locality may by ordinance prohibit loitering in, upon or around any public place, whether on public or private property. Any locality may by ordinance also prohibit minors who are not attended by their parents from frequenting or being in public places, whether on public or private property, at such times, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., as the governing body deems proper. A violation of such ordinances by a minor shall be disposed of as provided in §§ 16.1-278.4 and 16.1-278.5 . B. A locality may by ordinance regulate the frequenting, playing in or loitering in public places of amusement by minors, and may prescribe punishment for violations of such ordinances not to exceed that prescribed for a Class 3 misdemeanor. C. Without limiting or restricting the general powers created by this section, the term "public place" shall also include public libraries. Code 1950, § 15-8; 1954, c. 529; 1956, cc. 218, 664; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 40; 1958, c. 279; 1960, c. 606; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-514; 1968, c. 425; 1983, c. 502, § 15.1-33.4; 1995, cc. 59 , 658 ; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 865 ; 1999, c. 1023 ; 2004, c. 462 ; 2009, c. 481 . The chapters of the acts of assembly referenced in the historical citation at the end of this section may not constitute a comprehensive list of such chapters and may exclude chapters whose provisions have expired.

Source: Virginia Legislative Information SystemView official code

Full Breakdown

Va. Code § 15.2-926 expressly enables any locality to adopt a juvenile curfew ordinance and to prohibit minors, unattended by a parent, from being in public places between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Violations may be punished as no more than a Class 3 misdemeanor (maximum $500 fine, no jail). Ordinances must include constitutional exceptions for First Amendment activity, employment, emergencies, and parental accompaniment. Without this express grant, Dillon's Rule would bar local curfews; the statute caps the penalty and sets the outer time window while leaving specific hours and ages to localities.

Violations & Penalties

Up to a Class 3 misdemeanor for the juvenile: a maximum $500 fine and no jail. Some localities also impose parental civil penalties for repeat violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Virginia city set any curfew hours it wants?

Localities set the hours and ages under § 15.2-926, but the ordinance may reach minors in public only between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and courts strike down curfews lacking adequate exceptions for protected activity.

What happens if a juvenile violates curfew?

At most a Class 3 misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine and no jail; the juvenile court may order community service. Parents can face civil liability for repeat violations under some local ordinances.

Sources

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