CURFEW FOR MINORS

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 19, art. VIII

in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 19-383 Purposes.

Sec. 19-383. - Purposes. The purposes of the juvenile curfew restrictions imposed under this article are to: (1) Protect juveniles themselves and other citizens, residents and visitors of the City from the dangers of crimes which occur on sidewalks, streets and public places generally and in establishments open to the public, during late night or early morning hours; (2) Reduce the amount of criminal activity engaged in by juveniles; and (3) Promote and enhance parental control over juveniles. (Code 1993, § 20-195; Code 2004, § 66-416; Code 2015, § 19-383; Code 2020, § 19-383)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 19-384 Definitions.

Sec. 19-384. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Curfew hours means the period of time between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. the following day. Drug-free zone means those public areas that have been designated and posted by the Chief of Police as locations that are the site of repeated and documented illicit drug activity. Establishment means any privately owned place of business for a profit to which the public is invited, including, but not limited to, any place of amusement or entertainment. Legal guardian means a person or agency appointed by a court to act in the role of a parent. Minor means any person under 18 years of age other than an emancipated minor. Prostitution-free zone means those public areas that have been designated and posted by the Chief of Police as locations that are the site of repeated and documented illicit prostitution activity. Public place means any street, sidewalk, bridge, alley, alleyway, plaza, park, public grounds, public driveway, public parking lot, public transportation facility, or inside a motor vehicle in or on any such place. (Code 1993, § 20-196; Code 2004, § 66-417; Code 2015, § 19-384; Code 2020, § 19-384)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 19-385 Offenses.

Sec. 19-385. - Offenses. (a) It shall be unlawful for a minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during curfew hours. (b) It shall be unlawful for a parent or legal guardian of a minor to knowingly permit or by insufficient control to allow the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during curfew hours. (c) It shall be unlawful for the proprietor, manager, or other person having charge or control of an establishment to knowingly allow a minor, other than an employee, to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours. (Code 1993, § 20-197; Code 2004, § 66-418; Code 2015, § 19-385; Code 2020, § 19-385)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 19-386 Drug-free zone and prostitution-free zone curfew offenses.

Sec. 19-386. - Drug-free zone and prostitution-free zone curfew offenses. (a) It shall be unlawful for a minor to be on any street, road, alley, park or other public place located in a designated drug-free zone or a designated prostitution-free zone at any time. (b) It shall be unlawful for a parent or legal guardian of a minor to knowingly permit or by insufficient control to allow the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within a designated drug-free zone or a designated prostitution-free zone at any time. (c) It shall be unlawful for the proprietor, manager, or other person having charge or control of an establishment located within a designated drug-free zone or a designated prostitution-free zone to knowingly allow a minor, other than an employee, to remain upon the premises of the establishment at any time. (Code 1993, § 20-197.1; Code 2004, § 66-419; Code 2015, § 19-386; Code 2020, § 19-386)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 19-387 Exceptions to restrictions.

Sec. 19-387. - Exceptions to restrictions. (a) Sections 19-385 and 19-386 and the offenses stated therein shall not be applicable in any circumstance in which: (1) The minor was accompanied by the minor's parent or legal guardian or other adult who has been granted custody of the minor by the minor's parent or legal guardian; (2) The minor was on a legitimate emergency errand at the direction of the minor's parent or legal guardian, without any detour or stop, or the minor was otherwise involved in a legitimate emergency circumstance; (3) The minor was engaged in an employment activity or going to or returning home from an employment activity, without detour or stop; (4) The minor was attending an activity sponsored by a City or State agency or body or a school or a religious or civic organization or was returning to the minor's place of residence therefrom, without detour or stop; or (5) The minor was within 25 feet of the minor's residence. (b) Sections 19-385(c) and 19-386(c) and the offenses stated therein shall not be applicable in any circumstance in which the proprietor, manager, or other person having charge or control of an establishment promptly notified the Department of Police that a minor was present on the premises of the establishment during curfew hours and the minor refused to leave. (c) Section 19-385 and the offenses stated therein shall not be applicable when the minor is: (1) In interstate travel through, or beginning or terminating in, the City; (2) Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, and the right of assembly. (Code 1993, § 20-198; Code 2004, § 66-420; Code 2015, § 19-387; Code 2020, § 19-387)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 19-388 Enforcement.

Sec. 19-388. - Enforcement. (a) Before taking any enforcement action against a minor under this article, a police officer shall first afford the apparent offender an opportunity to offer proof of age and to establish a lawful reason for being in the public place or establishment. (b) Any minor taken into custody for a violation of either Section 19-385 or 19-386 shall either be released into the custody of a parent or legal guardian, if reasonably practicable, or shall be taken to a juvenile care center operated by or on behalf of the City to await notification of such responsible adult. (Code 1993, § 20-199; Code 2004, § 66-421; Code 2015, § 19-388; Code 2020, § 19-388)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 19-389 Penalties.

Sec. 19-389. - Penalties. A violation of this article by a minor shall be disposed of as provided in Code of Virginia, §§ 16.1-278.4 and 16.1-278.5. A person who violates any section of this article is guilty of a separate offense for each day or part of a day during which the violation is committed. Each offense, upon conviction, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 and a mandatory sentence of 20 hours of community service. (Code 1993, § 20-200; Code 2004, § 66-422; Code 2015, § 19-389; Code 2020, § 19-389)

Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH19OFMIPR_ARTVIIICUMIFetched: 11/8/2026