The city of San Jose has had a curfew ordinance in effect for many years but many young people and their parents are not familiar with these laws. The curfew ordinance spells out the hours that young people under the age of 18 can legally be in a public place without being under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

According to the ordinance, a person under the age of 16 cannot be in a public place within the City of San Jose without adult supervision between the hours of 10:00pm and 5:00am.

Minors who are 16 or 17 years old cannot be in a public place within the city without adult supervision between the hours of 11:30pm and 5:00am.

A public place includes streets, highways, sidewalks, alleys, parks, playgrounds, parking lots and other outdoor areas.

The curfew ordinance does not apply when a minor is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian, or is going directly to or from school, work or other specified activity.

For complete information about the curfew ordinance, (SJ Muni Code 10.28.020), visit the City Clerk's section of the City of San Jose website at www.sanjoseca.gov and click on Municipal Code, then enter “curfew” in the search window, or link directly to the Muni Code.

Curfew Ordinance

Many young people and their parents are not familiar with San Jose curfew laws.

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