Columbus has officially adopted a new citywide curfew for minors, tightening the hours children and teens can be out at night while giving families several months to adjust before citations begin.
The ordinance, approved Monday by Columbus City Council in an 8-1 vote, takes effect immediately after being signed by Mayor Andrew Ginther. However, city leaders say police will spend the rest of 2026 educating families and issuing warnings rather than citations. Enforcement with fines and misdemeanor charges won’t begin until Jan. 1, 2027.
Under the new rules, children under 13 must be home between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., while teens ages 13 through 17 have a curfew from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
The city’s previous ordinance set curfew at midnight to 4:30 a.m. for teens and one hour after sunset for children under 13.
Why the city is changing the rules
City leaders say the updated ordinance is one piece of a broader effort to address youth violence and late-night incidents involving minors. Officials stressed that the policy has been under discussion for about a year and is not a response to any single event, though it comes after several high-profile incidents involving large groups of teens.
“This is designed to prioritize education, engagement and prevention, not punishment,” Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said before Monday’s vote.
Hardin said the six-month education period will give officers time to engage with families, explain the ordinance, connect young people with diversion programs when appropriate, and evaluate how the policy is working before citations begin.
“No one believes a curfew ordinance by itself will solve juvenile violence or keep every child safe,” Hardin said. “But if we’re serious about protecting our kids, we have to be willing to use every tool available while continuing to invest in prevention, positive opportunities, and strong partnerships.”
What happens if a child violates curfew?
For the rest of 2026, officers will issue warnings and help connect minors with their parents or guardians.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, enforcement will escalate with repeated violations.
A first violation after the education period results in a warning and a parent or guardian being contacted. If no adult is available, officers can transport the child home or to the city’s juvenile reception center until they’re picked up.
A second violation can result in a minor misdemeanor charge, along with a meeting involving the family.
After a third violation, the ordinance allows for a third-degree misdemeanor, a family intervention meeting, a violence intervention assessment, and required community service or an educational program.
Parents may also face consequences, including educational training, community service, and fines of up to $50 if their child repeatedly violates the curfew.
There are several exceptions
The ordinance includes a number of exceptions for minors who are:
- Accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Traveling to or from work.
- Attending school, religious, or community activities.
- Responding to an emergency.
- Participating in other activities outlined in the ordinance.
Not everyone supports the measure
Councilmember Christopher Wyche cast the lone vote against the ordinance, raising concerns about how it could affect young people as enforcement begins.
Several residents also questioned whether the policy could disproportionately impact Black youth during public comment.
Columbus Police First Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts acknowledged those concerns while arguing that the ordinance is intended to create opportunities for intervention before young people become victims of violence.
“This is not a solve-all,” Potts said. “It is a small piece of a puzzle of a bigger holistic approach to juvenile crime reduction.”
City leaders say they’ll spend the next six months educating families and collecting feedback before the ordinance moves from warnings to enforcement at the start of 2027.
