The City of Virginia Beach has tightened its curfew on visitors and residents under the age of 18, moving the curfew up one hour earlier.
Beginning March 19, the city’s curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Previously, the curfew was 11 p.m.
The goal is to decrease crime and late-night incidents involving minors.
Earlier this month, Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate provided a crime briefing to City Council that showed reductions in violent and property crimes throughout the city. From 2023 to 2025, the city had a 27 percent decline in violent crime, he reported.
Juvenile shooting victims and suspects were down 45-50 percent from 2024 to 2025.
According to multiple reports, the police department advocated for the one-hour change to the curfew.
If a minor is out after 10 p.m., the city has set aside locations for parents or a responsible adult to pick up the minor.
Violations could result in a Class 4 misdemeanor which is punishable by a maximum fine of $250 with no jail time, but it can result in probation or community service. City officials said most enforcement will be simply having an adult pick up the child.
Virginia Beach isn’t alone in implementing curfews on a temporary or permanent basis. Colonial Heights, Lexington, Hampton and Lynchburg have put the measures in place citing similar reasoning.
Virginia Beach City Council members approved the change 10-0 one week ago. Mayor Bobby Dyer said similar efforts, like one at Lynnhaven Mall, have been successful in addressing problems.
Dyer said he believes there are enough exceptions that “it’s not going to be burdensome.”
The exceptions to the curfew include:
- Any emergency errand reasonably necessary to safeguard life, limb or property.
- Lawful employment, including going directly from the minor’s residence to the place of employment or returning directly from the place of employment to the minor’s residence.
- Attendance at a specified engagement or performance, attendance at religious services or participation in any assembly or expressive activity protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. (Minors must have written permission to attend the activity or event and must return directly to their residences when it ends. The written permission must include the signature, address and telephone number of a parent, guardian or other adult person having care, custody or control of the minor.)
- Interstate travel through, beginning or terminating in the City of Virginia Beach.
The ordinance is designed to maintain a family-friendly environment in the vacation hotspot though the curfew is for all areas of the city, not just the oceanfront.
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Crystal Graham
