MINORS

Los Angeles Municipal Code ch. IV, art. 5

in effect

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.00 DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 45.00. DEFINITIONS. (Amended by Ord. No. 111,348, Eff. 7/4/58.) (a) “BOARD” means the Board of Police Commissioners unless otherwise designated. (b) “DANCING ACADEMY” means a regularly established place of business maintained and conducted principally for the purpose of giving instructions in dancing. (c) “DANCE HALL” means any place where the holding or conducting of public dances is regularly carried on. (d) “DANCING CLUB” means any club or association of persons which conducts dances, other than public dances, for its members or bona fide guests more than once per month at which a fee is charged, either for an admission to such dance or for dancing therein, or at which any collection or donation of money is made or received, or in which the amount of dues to be paid by each member is dependent upon attendance at such dances by such member. (e) “PUBLIC DANCES” means gathering of persons in or upon any premises where dancing is participated in and to which premises the public is admitted.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.01 FIREARMS - KNIVES - SLINGSHOTS - SALE TO MINORS.

SEC. 45.01. FIREARMS - KNIVES - SLINGSHOTS - SALE TO MINORS. (Amended by Ord. No. 169,154, Eff. 1/1/94.) No person shall sell, exchange, give or loan to any person under 18 years of age any: (a) slingshot, (b) springback knife, (c) fixed or locking blade knife having a blade over two inches in length, (d) dirk or dagger having a blade over two inches in length, (e) ice pick, (f) tool or implement having a point similar to an ice pick, a shaft at least three inches in length and a handle, (g) straight edge razor or razor blade fitted to a handle, (h) gun, (i) revolver, (j) pistol or firearm of any description, (k) spring or air gun or other device designed or intended to discharge any pellets, BB shot, shot or other deadly or dangerous missile, or (l) ammunition, cartridge, shell or other device, whether containing any explosive substance or not, designed and intended for use in any weapons enumerated herein. Work related uses of any of the above weapons are not prohibited under this section.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.02 FIREARMS - MINORS - POSSESSION OF.

SEC. 45.02. FIREARMS - MINORS - POSSESSION OF. No person under 18 years of age shall have in their possession, care, custody or control any article or thing mentioned in the preceding section.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.03 NIGHTTIME CURFEW RESTRICTIONS FOR MINORS.

SEC. 45.03. NIGHTTIME CURFEW RESTRICTIONS FOR MINORS. (Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 180,173, Eff. 10/5/08.) (a) Curfew. It is unlawful for any minor under the age of eighteen years to be present in or upon any public street, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground, or other public ground, public place or public building, place of amusement or eating place, vacant lot, or unsupervised place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. on any day and sunrise of the immediately following day. (b) Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply when: (1) The minor is accompanied by the minor’s parent, guardian, other adult person authorized by the parent or guardian having the care or custody of the minor, or by the minor’s spouse eighteen years of age or older; or (2) The minor is on an errand directed by the minor’s parent, guardian, other adult person authorized by the parent or guardian having the care or custody of the minor, or by the minor’s spouse eighteen years of age or older without any detour or stop; or (3) The minor is attending or going directly to or returning directly home from a public meeting or a place of public entertainment such as a movie, play, sporting event, dance or school activity; or (4) The presence of a minor in one or more of the places identified in Subsection (a) is connected with or required with respect to a business, trade, profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged; or (5) The minor is involved in an emergency such as a fire, natural disaster, automobile accident, a situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life, or any unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state, which calls for immediate action; or (6) The minor is exercising the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and by Article I, Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the California Constitution; or (7) The minor is in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel; or (8) The minor is emancipated in accordance with the California Family Code or other applicable state law. (c) Enforcement. Before taking any action to enforce the provisions of this section, police officers shall ask the apparent offender’s age and reason for being in the public place during curfew hours. The officer shall not issue a citation or make an arrest under this section unless the officer reasonably believes that an offense has occurred and that, based on any responses and other circumstances, no exceptions to this section apply. (d) Severability of Provisions. If any severable provision of this ordinance or any application of the provisions is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the ordinance, which can be given effect notwithstanding any invalidity.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.04 DAYTIME CURFEW RESTRICTIONS FOR MINORS.

SEC. 45.04. DAYTIME CURFEW RESTRICTIONS FOR MINORS. (Amended by Ord. No. 182,084, Eff. 4/13/12.) (a) Curfew. It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18, who is subject to compulsory education or to compulsory continuation education, alone or in concert with others, to be present in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places or amusement and eating places, vacant lots or any place open to the public during the hours of the day when the school, which the minor would normally attend, is in session, on days when that school is in session. This section shall not apply to public sidewalks immediately adjacent to school grounds, the entrance areas to schools, or to school grounds. (b) Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply when: (1) The minor is accompanied by the minor’s parent, guardian, or other adult person authorized by the parent or guardian having the care or custody of the minor; or (2) The minor is on an emergency errand directed by the minor’s parent, guardian or other adult person having the care or custody of the minor; or (3) The minor is attending or going directly to or returning directly from a public meeting or an official school-sponsored sporting event, dance, or activity which is under the direction, supervision, or control of an adult and which is organized, arranged, or sponsored by the City, a local educational authority, or religious or civil organization that is taking responsibility for the minor; or (4) The minor is going directly to or coming directly from their place of gainful employment; or (5) The minor is going directly to or coming directly from a medical appointment; or (6) The minor is carrying in the minor’s possession a valid, school issued, off-campus permit or pass that authorizes the minor to leave the school campus; or (7) The presence of the minor in one or more of the places identified in Subsection (a) is connected with or required with respect to a business, trade, profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged; or (8) The minor is involved in an emergency such as a fire, natural disaster, automobile accident, a situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life, or any unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state, which calls for immediate action; or (9) The minor is in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel; or (10) The minor is authorized to be absent from the minor’s school pursuant to the provisions of California Education Code Section 48205, or any other applicable state or federal law; or (11) The minor is traveling in the general direction of the minor’s school, regardless of whether school has already begun. If the minor is contacted by law enforcement within a 3 block radius of the minor’s school within the first 60 minutes after school has begun, it establishes a rebuttable presumption that the minor is traveling to the minor’s school. (c) Enforcement. Before taking any action to enforce the provisions of this section, police officers shall ask the apparent offender’s age and reason for being in the public place during curfew hours. The officer shall not issue a citation or make an arrest under this section unless the officer reasonably believes that an offense has occurred, that the minor is required to be in school, and that based on any responses and other circumstances, no exceptions to this section apply. The officer shall identify the time when the officer first encountered the minor, provide the minor’s stated age, and articulate the justification for the citation’s issuance directly on the citation. (d) Penalties for Violation. A violation of this section is an infraction. The first and second violations of this section shall only be punishable by either a requirement to provide an attendance plan to the court, developed with the minor and/or parent or appropriate guardian, or to participate in community service or other appropriate community or school-based program for mentoring, tutoring, credit recovery, or counseling. The minor shall not be required to perform community service or fulfill program attendance for a total time exceeding 20 hours in any 60-day period, and the hours for performance shall occur during times other than during the minor’s hours of school attendance or employment. Third and subsequent violations of this section shall be punishable by the sanctions for a first or second violation, or may be punishable by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) for any individual minor. At any time, fines may be waived due to indigence. (e) Severability of Provisions. If any severable provision of this ordinance or any application thereof is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the ordinance which can be given effect notwithstanding such invalidity.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.06 MINORS’ SCHOOL BOOKS - SALE.

SEC. 45.06. MINORS’ SCHOOL BOOKS - SALE. No person shall purchase or acquire by gift, bargain, exchange, or in any other manner, the necessary books of instruction used or prescribed for the use and belonging to or in the possession, custody or control of any pupil, under the age of 21 years, regularly enrolled or attending any public school without first obtaining the authorization and consent, in writing, of the parents or guardian of said pupil or the principal of the school at which said pupil is regularly enrolled or in attendance, so to do.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.07 THEATERS - MINORS - HOURS OF ATTENDANCE.

SEC. 45.07. THEATERS - MINORS - HOURS OF ATTENDANCE. (a) No person conducting managing or carrying on the business of a moving picture exhibition shall permit or allow any person under the age of fourteen to attend any such moving picture exhibition after the hour of nine o’ clock P.M. of any day, unless such infant be accompanied by a parent guardian or other adult person. (b) No person conducting, managing or carrying on the business of a moving picture exhibition shall permit or allow any such infant to enter or attend any such moving picture exhibition after the receipt of a notice signed by the parent or guardian of any such infant requesting that said infant be not allowed to enter or attend any such moving picture exhibition.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.08 DANCING ACADEMY - WHEN INFANT MAY ATTEND.

SEC. 45.08. DANCING ACADEMY - WHEN INFANT MAY ATTEND. No person conducting, maintaining or carrying on a dancing academy shall permit any person under the age of sixteen (16) years to enter, dance or be instructed in dancing between the hours of six o’clock P.M. and twelve o’clock midnight of any day, unless such infant be accompanied by the infant’s parent, guardian or person exercising parental control over such infant, or by any other adult person authorized in writing by the parent, guardian, or any other adult person exercising parental control of such infant, to accompany the infant to any dancing academy.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.09 DANCING ACADEMY - AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND.

SEC. 45.09. DANCING ACADEMY - AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND. The authorization referred to in the above section shall state that the person therein named may accompany the infant to such dancing academy on a date specified therein, together with the residence address of the person executing the same. No authorization shall be good for more than one day.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.10 DANCING ACADEMY - FALSE SIGNATURE IN AUTHORIZATION.

SEC. 45.10. DANCING ACADEMY - FALSE SIGNATURE IN AUTHORIZATION. No person shall sign the name of another person to any authorization as specified in Sec. 45.09 of this article.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.11 DANCING ACADEMY - AUTHORIZATION - FILING OF.

SEC. 45.11. DANCING ACADEMY - AUTHORIZATION - FILING OF. It shall be the duty of the person conducting, maintaining or carrying on a dancing academy, upon presentation of authorization as required by Section 45.08 forthwith to take such authorization from the person presenting it, and keep it for the inspection of the Chief of Police and members of the Police Department, for a period of thirty (30) days thereafter.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.13 DANCING ACADEMY - HOURS FOR INSTRUCTION.

SEC. 45.13. DANCING ACADEMY - HOURS FOR INSTRUCTION. No person under the age of sixteen (16) years shall enter, be, remain, dance or receive dancing instructions, in any dance academy, between the hours of six (6) o’clock P.M. of any day and twelve o’clock midnight of the same day, unless such infant is accompanied thereto as provided for in Sec. 45.08 of this article.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.15 FEMALE DANCE INSTRUCTORS.

SEC. 45.15. FEMALE DANCE INSTRUCTORS. No person conducting, maintaining or carrying on a dancing academy or public dance hall shall employ or permit a female under the age of twenty-one (21) years to give instructions in dancing therein to persons of the opposite sex.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.16 DANCE HALLS - ILLUMINATION.

SEC. 45.16. DANCE HALLS - ILLUMINATION. No person conducting, maintaining or carrying on a dancing academy or public dance shall permit any instructor who is under twenty-one (21) years to give instructions in dancing to persons of the opposite sex in an private room, booth, alcove or enclosure, every part of which is not clearly visible at all times from the main dance floor located upon the same floor in such dancing academy or public dance hall.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.17 DANCE HALLS - EXCEPTIONS.

SEC. 45.17. DANCE HALLS - EXCEPTIONS. The provisions of Sections 45.15 and 45.16 of this article shall not apply to any place wherein classic dancing is the principal subject taught.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.19 DISPLAY OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA TO MINORS.

SEC. 45.19. DISPLAY OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA TO MINORS. (Added By Ord. No. 153,791, Eff. 6/16/80.) A. Management. (Amended by Ord. No. 174,793, Eff. 10/6/02.) 1. It shall be unlawful for any person in charge or control of any business establishment where drug paraphernalia is displayed for sale, offered for sale or sold, to knowingly allow or permit a minor, not accompanied by one or both of the minor’s parents or by the minor’s legal guardian, to enter and remain within any business establishment where drug paraphernalia is displayed for sale, offered for sale or sold. 2. It shall be unlawful for any person in charge or control of a business establishment where drug paraphernalia is displayed for sale, offered for sale, or sold, to fail to display and maintain or fail to cause to be displayed and maintained, at least one sign stating that a minor may not enter unless accompanied by one or both of the minor’s parents or by the minor’s legal guardian. These signs shall be placed in a conspicuous location near each public entrance to the business establishment where drug paraphernalia is displayed for sale, offered for sale, or sold. 3. In the event a substantial number of the public invitees or patrons of a business establishment where drug paraphernalia is displayed for sale, offered for sale or sold, uses a language other than English as a primary language, any sign required pursuant to this section shall be worded in both English and the language or languages involved. B. Minors. In the event a sign or signs have been posted as required by Subsection A above, it shall be unlawful for a minor to enter any business establishment where drug paraphernalia is displayed for sale, offered for sale or sold, unless a minor is accompanied by one or both of the minor’s parents or by the minor’s legal guardian. (Amended by Ord. No. 174,793, Eff. 10/6/02.) C. Definitions. 1. “Drug paraphernalia,” including but not limited to one or more of those items identified in that list set forth in Subdivision 3 hereinbelow, shall mean any device designed primarily for use by individuals for the smoking or ingestion of marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, cocaine, or any other “controlled substance,” as that term is defined in the Health and Safety Code of the State of California. 2. A device “designed primarily for” such smoking or ingestion set forth in Subdivision 1 above is a device which has been fabricated, constructed, altered, adjusted, or marked especially for use in the smoking or ingestion of marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, cocaine, or any other “controlled substance,” and is peculiarly adapted to such purposes by virtue of a distinctive feature or combination of features associated with drug paraphernalia, notwithstanding that it might also be possible to use such service for some other purpose. 3. Includable Items or Devices: (a) Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic pipes, with or without screens, permanent or otherwise, heads, or punctured metal bowls; (b) A device constructed so as to prevent the escape of smoke into the air and to channel smoke into a chamber where it may be accumulated to permit inhalation or ingestion of larger quantities of smoke than would otherwise be possible, whether the device is known as a “bong,” or otherwise; (c) A smokable pipe constructed with a receptacle or container in which water or other liquid may be placed into which smoke passes and is cooled in the process of being inhaled or ingested; (d) A smokable pipe which contains a heating unit, whether the device is known as an “electric pipe,” or otherwise; (e) A device constructed so as to permit the simultaneous mixing and ingestion of smoke and nitrous oxide or other compressed gas, whether the device is known as a “buzz bomb,” or otherwise; (f) A canister, container or other device with a tube, nozzle or other similar arrangement attached thereto so constructed as to permit the forcing of smoke accumulated therein into the user’s lungs under pressure; (g) A device for holding a cigarette, whether the device is known as a “roach clip,” or otherwise; (h) A spoon for ingestion through the nose; (i) A straw or tube for ingestion through the nose or mouth.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 45.19.5 RESTRICTIONS ON LOCATIONS WHERE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA MAY BE SOLD.

SEC. 45.19.5. RESTRICTIONS ON LOCATIONS WHERE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA MAY BE SOLD. (Added by Ord. No. 174,793, Eff. 10/6/02.) A. Purpose. Regulating the location where business establishments that display or offer for sale drug paraphernalia is a reasonable and necessary means to protect and promote the general welfare of the children and minors of the City of Los Angeles exposed to illegal drugs. The regulations promote the general welfare and temperance of children and minors and are intended to help reduce the illegal consumption and purchase of illegal drugs by children and minors by limiting their exposure to drug paraphernalia. B. Definitions. The following words and phrases, whenever used in this section, shall be construed as defined in this section. Words and phrases not defined here shall be construed as defined in Sections 11.01, and 12.03 of this Code. 1. “Drug paraphernalia,” including but not limited to one or more of those items identified in that list set forth in Subdivision 3 below, shall mean any device designed primarily for use by individuals for the smoking or ingestion of marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, cocaine, or any other “controlled substance,” as that term is defined in the Health and Safety Code of the State of California. 2. A device “designed primarily for” the smoking or ingestion set forth in Subdivision 1 above is a device, which has been fabricated, constructed, altered, adjusted, or marked especially for use in the smoking or ingestion of marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, cocaine, or any other “controlled substance,” and is peculiarly adapted to that purposes by virtue of a distinctive feature or combination of features associated with drug paraphernalia, notwithstanding that it might also be possible to use the device for some other purpose. 3. Includable Items or Devices: (a) Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic pipes, with or without screens, permanent or otherwise, heads, or punctured metal bowls; (b) A device constructed so as to prevent the escape of smoke into the air and to channel smoke into a chamber where it may be accumulated to permit inhalation or ingestion of larger quantities of smoke than would otherwise be possible, whether the device is known as a “bong,” or otherwise; (c) A smokable pipe constructed with a receptacle or container in which water or other liquid may be placed into which smoke passes and is cooled in the process of being inhaled or ingested; (d) A smokable pipe which contains a heating unit, whether the device is known as an “electric pipe,” or otherwise; (e) A device constructed so as to permit the simultaneous mixing and ingestion of smoke and nitrous oxide or other compressed gas, whether the device is known as a “buzz bomb,” or otherwise; (f) A canister, container or other device with a tube, nozzle or other similar arrangement attached and so constructed as to permit the forcing of accumulated smoke into the user’s lungs under pressure; (g) A device for holding a cigarette, whether the device is known as a “roach clip,” or otherwise; (h) A spoon for ingestion through the nose; (i) A straw or tube for ingestion through the nose or mouth. 4. “Public Library” - A place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials, such as books, manuscripts, newspapers, recordings, or films, are kept for use but not for sale, which is under the control, operation or management of the City Board of Library Commissioners. 5. “Public Park” - A park, playground, swimming pool, beach, pier, reservoir, golf course or similar athletic field within the City of Los Angeles, which is under the control, operation or management of the City Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners or the County Department of Beaches. 6. “Religious Institution” - A building that is used primarily for religious worship and related religious activities. 7. “Schools” - An institution of learning for minors, whether public or private, which offers instruction in those courses of study required by the California Education Code or which is maintained pursuant to standards set by the State Board of Education. This definition includes kindergarten, elementary, junior high, senior high or any special institution of learning under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Education, but it does not include a vocational or professional institution or an institution of higher education, including a community or junior college, college or university. C. Prohibitions. 1. No person shall operate a business establishment where drug paraphernalia is displayed for sale, offered for sale or sold, within 500 feet of any school, religious institution, public library or public park. 2. The distance specified in this subsection shall be the horizontal distance measured in a straight line from the property line of a school, religious institution, public library or public park to the closest exterior structural wall of the business establishment without regard to intervening structures.

Source: City of Los Angeles, Charter and Codes (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-131326Fetched: 10/24/2026