Frequently Asked Questions – Proposed Downtown Curfew

WHAT IS THE DOWNTOWN CURFEW RULE THAT’S PROPOSED FOR DOWNTOWN TULSA?
The Tulsa City Council on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, will discuss and potentially vote to approve a new curfew in Downtown Tulsa. As proposed, the curfew would be in place from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. for Downtown Tulsa (defined by the area contained within the Inner Dispersal Loop) (IDL) for people younger than 18 who are unaccompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult. The curfew, as proposed, would be in effect seven days a week. Final details of the Downtown Curfew (including exact days, times, and activities) are subject to discussion and approval.

WHEN WILL THE DOWNTOWN CURFEW TAKE EFFECT?
The curfew could go into effect as early as the night of Thursday, June 26, 2025, if the Tulsa City Council passes the ordinance and if the ordinance is signed by the Mayor. The curfew, as proposed, would be set to sunset on March 31, 2026, but will need to be reviewed and approved by the Tusa City Council at or before that time.

HOW IS THE DOWNTOWN CURFEW DIFFERENT FROM THE CITYWIDE CURFEW FOR PEOPLE YOUNGER THAN 18 IN TULSA?
The citywide curfew for people younger than 18 is from 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. Sunday through Friday, and 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE DOWNTOWN CURFEW?
The purpose of the amended curfew is to increase public safety and confidence in Downtown Tulsa. The curfew will protect the health, safety and welfare of the tens of thousands of individuals who work, live, and visit Downtown Tulsa every week, including unaccompanied youth. Recent incidents have been caused by and involved unaccompanied minors in the entertainment districts late night and after hours.

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ATTENDING A BALLGAME, MOVIE, CONCERT, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY, OR SPECTATOR EVENT AND IT ENDS AFTER 9 P.M.?
As proposed, these activities are allowed, but they will need to leave the Downtown Tulsa area, without any return or stop, as soon as the ballgame, movie, concert, recreational event or spectator event ends.

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS EMPLOYED IN DOWNTOWN TULSA AND DOESN’T GET OFF WORK UNTIL AFTER 9 P.M.?
This proposed ordinance does not affect people under 18 who are at work, or who are going directly to and from work, in Downtown Tulsa.

WHERE IS THE DOWNTOWN CURFEW IN EFFECT?
The proposed 9 p.m. - 6 a.m. curfew would be in effect for Downtown Tulsa within the Inner Dispersal Loop (IDL), an area bounded by a street network on the east by the east leg of the part of U.S. Highway 75 South/ Interstate Highway 444 (I-44); on the west by U.S. Highway 64 West / Oklahoma State Highway 51 West/ Interstate Highway 244 (I-244); on the north by U.S. Highway 412 East/ I-244; and on the south by the Broken Arrow Expressway, U.S. Highway 64 West/ U.S. Highway 75 South/ Oklahoma State Highway 51 West, part of I-44.

HOW WILL THE DOWNTOWN CURFEW BE ENFORCED?
If an officer reasonably believes a person is under 18 and observes that person in Downtown Tulsa after curfew hours, the officer is required to first ask the person their age and reason for being in Downtown Tulsa. If the person is under 18, prior to taking any enforcement action, the officer will otherwise try to determine whether the person:

• is with a parent or responsible adult;
• is working or returning to or from work;
• is attending, going to, or returning home from an event such as a ballgame or concert;
• is going to or returning home from an official school, religious or recreational activity supervised by adults; or
• is involved in an emergency

If the officer is unable to determine any of the above information and reasonably believes the person is in violation of the curfew ordinance, the officer may take enforcement action. Generally, officers will first ask the person to leave the Downtown Tulsa area prior to taking enforcement action depending on the circumstances.

WHO IS CONSIDERED A ‘RESPONSIBLE ADULT?’
“Responsible adult” is defined by the ordinance but generally means an individual who is over 18 years old, who has or who has been charged with the permanent and/or temporary care and/or custody of the juvenile.

WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE FOR THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE DOWNTOWN CURFEW?
As proposed, violators would be subject to a fine not to exceed $200, excluding costs fees and assessments. The Court may require community service work prescribed by the Court in lieu of a fine.

To view the existing City ordinance, visit: https://library.municode.com/ok/tulsa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT27PECO_CH28CUHOJU