Definitions.

Charlotte City Code § 15-152

in effect

Sec. 15-152. - 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: Direct route means the shortest reasonable path of travel or a commonly used route to reach a final destination without any detour or stop along the way. Emergency means an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. The term includes, but is not limited to, a fire, a natural disaster, an automobile accident, or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or death. This term also includes any action that is reasonably necessary in order to respond to the medical needs of a family member of the juvenile, regardless of whether the juvenile's action is taken in order to prevent death or serious bodily injury. Establishment means any privately owned place of business operated for profit to which the public has access or is invited, including, but not limited to, any place of amusement or entertainment. Guardian means a person who is court appointed to be the guardian of a juvenile. Juvenile means any person under the age of 16 years. Owner/operator means any individual, firm, association, partnership or corporation operating, managing or conducting any establishment, including the employees, members or partners of an association or partnership and the officers of a corporation. Parent means a person who is a natural parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, stepparent or another person, or a person to whom legal custody has been given by court order. Public place means any place that is generally open to and used by the public or a substantial group of the public, whether it be publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks, highways, alleys, rights-of-way, public vehicular areas and parking lots, transportation facilities, theaters, restaurants, shops, bowling alleys, schools and school grounds, places of business and amusement, playgrounds, parks, similar areas that are open to the public, and other common areas open to or accessible to the public. Remain means to linger or stay in a public place, to fail to leave the premises when requested to do so by a police officer, or to fail to leave the premises of an establishment when requested to do so by the owner/operator or employee of the premises. Restricted hours. The time of night referred to in this article is based upon the prevailing standard of time, whether Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, generally observed at that hour by the public in the city. Restricted hours means: On any day of the week, 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. of the following day for ages 12 and under; and On any day of the week, 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. of the following day for ages 13, 14 and 15. (Code 1985, § 15-146; Ord. No. 4791, § 1, 11-28-2011)

Source: City of Charlotte, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/charlotte/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH15OFMIPR_ARTVIIYOPR_S15-152DEFetched: 10/27/2026