Are there curfews in New York State? As with many US cities with curfews, there are imposed curfews on all ages for the City of New York (NYC) but those restrictions are not citywide and are in designated areas, such as city parks.

If there must be a statewide curfew by the Governor or citywide curfew by a local Mayor, expect the curfew to be imposed between 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM.

For minors only during normal times, these are imposed when operating a motorized vehicle in the State of New York between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM. During those hours, the minor will need to adhere to the night driving curfews and other restrictions to avoid suspension of their privileges if not with a licensed driver twenty-one (21) and older.

While exploring the State of New York by foot or by a vehicle, here are places to keep in mind on your travels as you could be approached by local police or the venue’s security team.

In New York State

Carousel Center (Status: Active)
The Carousel Center in the City of Syracuse in New York has instituted a Parental Escort Policy on Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 4:00 PM and closing. Any child or children under the age of eighteen (18) visiting Carousel Center must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years of age or older. One parent or guardian (21 years of age or older) is permitted to supervise up to five teens. Teens must remain within the company of their parent or guardian. Acceptable proof of age is a driver’s license, state/provincial non-driver ID, military or college ID, passport, or visa. This policy does not apply to the cinemas or stores with exterior entrances. If a minor is caught by security, they will be held until the parent in the mall finds them. If a parent isn’t on the site, the minor may be released into the custody of the local police.

Central Park (Status: Active)
Central Park in New York has a five-hour curfew which is in effect from 1:00 AM until 6:00 AM. The park is normally closed unless specified and the purpose of the curfew is to help save the lives of homeless people who might freeze to death being in the open of the park during cold months and can not be neglected or refused under Section 1-03 of the rules and regulations of the park. If you are caught by the Central Park Police Precinct, you could face getting two tickets there (trespassing and failure to adhere to posted signs) and will need to take time to go to court for the infraction and any other rules & regulations (such as possession and/or consumption of alcohol) you may have broken during your time in the park. To be guilty of the trespass infraction, you need to have previous knowledge that you were not allowed to be in Central Park so you can often have the summons dismissed in court providing you do not get into any more trouble in a time set by the court so it is extremely important to show up when specified to see the judge. Failure to appear in front of the judge can bring warrants, late fines, and other penalties. If you are driving in and around Central Park, be sure to adhere to the set hours listed for West Drive, East Drive, and 72nd Street crossing.

City of Buffalo (Status: Active)
The City of Buffalo has instituted a curfew on those who are sixteen (16) and under between Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM and Friday through Saturday from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM. If you are caught by the Buffalo Police Department, you will be asked for identification then sent home or to the District House. Guardians could also be fined up to US$200.00 in fines.

City of Rochester (Status: Court Suspended 2009)
The City of Rochester in New York had instituted in 2006 a curfew on those who are sixteen (16) and under between Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM and Friday through Saturday from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Minors were exempt if they were legally emancipated, married, or in the company of their legal guardian. The curfew was suspended but visitors and locals should be aware of landmarks in the City of Rochester (such as a shopping mall) that may have a Parental Escort Policy in effect.

City of Schenectady (Status: Active)
The city of Schenectady has a curfew that is enforced on the youth who are sixteen (16) and younger.  Violators can face a maximum fine of US$500.00 if caught breaking curfew which is in effect between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM weekdays (Monday to Friday) and 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). For more details, residents & visitors should contact City Hall or the Police Department.

City of Syracuse (Status: Active)
The City of Syracuse in New York has malls (see article for details) that instituted a Parental Escort Policy on Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 4:00 PM and closing. Any child or children under the age of eighteen (18) visiting must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years of age or older.

City of Troy (Status: Active)
The City of Troy in New York has instituted a curfew on those who are seventeen (17) and under who are within two thousand (2,000) feet of a school building during school hours. Those found breaking the curfew will be detained by the police and held until they can be picked up by their parents or legal guardian. A second incident by the minor carries a US$100.00 fine on the parents & guardian and twenty-five (25) hours of community service on the minor. After school hours, if the minor is caught in public (after 10:30 PM weekdays & 11:30 PM Fridays & Saturdays), a letter will be sent to the minor’s parents & guardian and similar fines given for violations during school hours for a second incident. If there is a third incident by the minor,  authorities may be forced to contact Social or Child Protective Services.

City of Yonkers (Status: Active)
The City of Yonkers has a Halloween Curfew and The Community Affairs Division is responsible for providing information about the City’s Halloween Curfew to all school-age children who are subject to it, as well as the general public. Police Officers ensure that flyers explaining the curfew are distributed at all Yonkers elementary and middle schools. Later, Halloween curfew violators are brought to the Community Affairs Division’s office where officers notify the violator’s parent or guardian and arrange for the violator’s pick up.

Radio City Music Hall (Status: Active)
The Radio City Music Hall has a curfew usually around 11:00 PM. Guest attending should be aware of this since their performance could be cut short. If allowed to stay after curfew due to a late performance, it is important not to wait around too long so you can avoid problems with security.

Sarah Lawerence College (Status: Active)
Are you planning to attend Sarah Lawerence College? Well, you will be shocked to learn that they have a curfew that is in place (11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday night at 1:30 AM) to help make sure the students get enough rest for their classes.

Village of Hilton (Status: Active)
The Village of Hilton in New York has a curfew that makes it unlawful for any child or children, age seventeen (17) and under who are discovered on any public street, sidewalk, highway, park, vacant lot or other public place starting after 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and ending at 5:00 AM the next day; and starting at 11:59 PM Fridays and Saturdays and ending at 5:00 A.M. the next day. This curfew is waived if the minor is with their legal guardian or is legally employed during the hours.

Village of Washingtonville (Status: Active)
The Village of Washingtonville has a Halloween Curfew which is in effect at 6:00 PM through 6:00 AM which prohibits those under the age of eighteen (18) from being in public during those time periods unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Also, the curfew hours and curfew days during the Halloween period, including but not limited to October 29, October 30, October 31, November 1 and November 2, may be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees.

Walden Galleria (Status: Active)
The Walden Galleria in New York has instituted a Parental Escort Policy on Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 4:00 PM and closing. Anyone under the age of 18 visiting Walden Galleria must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years of age or older. One parent or guardian (21 years of age or older) is permitted to supervise up to five teens. Teens must remain within the company of their parent or guardian. Acceptable proof of age is a driver’s license, state/provincial non-driver ID, military or college ID, passport or visa. This policy does not apply to the cinemas or stores with exterior entrances. If a minor is caught by security, they will be held (upper level near Macy’s) until the parent in the mall finds them. If a parent isn’t on the site, the minor may be released into the custody of the local police.

Washington Square Park (Status: Active)
Washington Square Park in New York has a six-hour curfew which is in effect from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM. The curfew is enforced by the NYPD and violators can face getting two tickets there (trespassing and failure to adhere to posted signs) and will need to take time to go to court for the infraction and any other rules & regulations (such as possession and/or consumption of alcohol) you may have broken during your time in the park.

In New Jersey

West New York (Status: Court Suspended 1999)
West New York located in New Jersey had a curfew that was implemented on teenagers. The ordinance provided exceptions for juveniles traveling to or from work, engaged in a medical emergency, or traveling to or from events sponsored by community or religious organizations. New York teens visiting West New York, NJ had to be aware as violators and their parents/guardians were subject to fines of up to US$1,000, and up to 90 days of community service.

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