June 19, 2025

Charleston City Council Approves Nightlife Curfew for Minors

News Summary

The Charleston City Council has unanimously approved a new ordinance establishing a curfew prohibiting minors aged 17 and younger from being present in the city’s nightlife district after 9 p.m. This decision, finalized on June 17, affects King Street, Market Street, and East Bay Street. Exceptions exist for minors with adults, involved in work, school activities, or religious events. Local advocacy groups express concerns regarding potential racial profiling and the need for engaging youth programs. The ordinance’s enforcement will begin on June 27, allowing time for officer training.

Charleston – The Charleston City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits minors aged 17 years and younger from being present in the city’s nightlife district after 9 p.m. The decision was finalized during a council vote on June 17, 2025, and the new curfew took immediate effect, although the Charleston Police Department will begin enforcement on June 27, 2025, to allow time for officer training.

The defined curfew hours are from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. across the months of June, July, and August. During the remainder of the year, the curfew will apply specifically from Thursday to Sunday nights. The designated enforcement area includes King Street between Carolina and Broad streets, Market Street east of King Street, and East Bay Street from Market to Broad streets.

Exceptions to the curfew will be made for minors who are accompanied by an adult, engaged in work, attending school activities, participating in religious or civic events, or involved in protests. The ordinance establishes penalties for violations, which may include fines of up to $500 or jail time of up to 30 days for adults who permit minors to breach the ordinance.

While city officials express that the ordinance aims to deter crowds of teenagers gathering in Charleston’s nightlife area, the ordinance has sparked opposition from local advocacy groups. The Charleston Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission and leaders from various local nonprofits have raised concerns regarding the potential for racial profiling of youth and the overall effectiveness of the curfew.

In the midst of this logistical concern, advocates like members from Charleston Black Lives Matter criticized the measure as excessively punitive. They have called for the development of creative and engaging programs for youth rather than imposing restrictions on their movement.

This decision by the Charleston City Council mirrors actions taken by other communities in South Carolina, where similar curfews have been contemplated. However, some municipalities have chosen to reject proposed curfews over doubts about their efficacy. For instance, the City of Columbia is currently discussing a potential city-wide curfew for minors amidst growing concerns over recent violence, including a series of shootings.

Previous attempts at implementing a youth curfew in Charleston occurred in 2021 due to concerns about violence but were ultimately withdrawn after community backlash. To date, the Charleston Police Department has reported 16 arrests of minors within the designated curfew boundaries between January 1, 2024, and June 16, 2025, for a range of offenses.

As the city prepares to enforce this new ordinance, the police department intends to gather data on juvenile interactions during curfew hours in an effort to evaluate the ordinance’s impact. Lt. Anthony Gibson has highlighted the role of accountability among parents and guardians in ensuring the safety of their children during nighttime hours.

With the curfew ordinance officially in place yet awaiting active enforcement, stakeholders within the community remain watchful of the law’s implications and effectiveness in fostering a safer environment for the residents and visitors of Charleston.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Charleston City Council to Vote on Juvenile Curfew Ordinance
Downtown L.A. Bars and Restaurants Struggle Amid Curfew and Protests
Charleston Considers Curfew for Minors Amid Safety Concerns

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON

The CHARLESTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREcharleston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charleston, Charleston County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and the MOJA Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Museum, plus leading businesses in tourism and maritime industries that power the local economy such as South Carolina Ports Authority and the Charleston Visitor Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.