Virginia Beach Minor Curfew
2005-2006

Children under the age of 18 are subject to a curfew law in Virginia Beach, designed to ensure their safety. According to Virginia Beach Code 23-2, a child under the age of 18 may not be out between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by the parent, guardian, or other adult who has the care, custody, or control of the child. Further, the law states that such minors may not be present on "any street, road, alley, avenue, park, or other public place" or in "any vehicle operating or parked thereon." In addition, it is also against the law for any parent, guardian, or other adult "to permit, allow, or encourage such minor to be present" in the places indicated. Violation of the curfew is a class 4 misdemeanor.

There are exceptions, however, and parents will want to be familiar with them.

• Any emancipated minor is exempted from this law.
• The following activities are exceptions:
  1. any emergency errand;
  2. going to work or returning home from work;
  3. interstate travel within Virginia Beach; and
  4. attendance at a specified engagement or performance or attendance at religious services, provided the minor "shall have in his/her possession written permission including the signature, address, and phone number" of the parent, guardian, or other adult in charge to attend the event, plus the return trip home.