Halloween is Saturday, and many children are itching to put on their costumes and go trick-or-treating!
We’ve compiled a list of the rules for trick-or-treating around town:
- Each Hampton Roads city’s municipal code expressly prohibits any person over the age of 12 from participating in trick-or-treat activities. Failing to abide by this rule could result in a misdemeanor charge.
- Most cities have not listed a start time for trick-or-treating. It commonly starts at dusk, which occurs around 5:30-6:00p.
- All trick-or-treat activities must be complete by 8:00 p.m. in every Hampton Roads City, per municipal code. Failing to abide by this rule could result in a misdemeanor charge.
Below are the municipal codes from each Hampton Roads city regarding trick-or-treat activities:
VIRGINIA BEACH:
Sec. 23-3. Prohibited trick or treat activities.
(a) If any person over the age of twelve (12) years shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting any parent, guardian or other responsible person, having lawfully in his custody a child twelve (12) years old or younger, from accompanying such child who is playing “trick or treat” for the purpose of caring for, looking after or protecting such child.
(b) If any person shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever after 8:00 p.m., he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
CHESAPEAKE:
46-8. – Trickor treat activities.
(a) If any person over the age of 12 years shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $100.00 or by confinement in jail for not more than six months or both.
(b) If any person shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever after 8:00 p.m., he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $100.00 or by confinement in jail for not more than 30 days or both.
HAMPTON:
Sec. 24-5. – Prohibited trick or treat activities.
(a) If any person over the age of twelve (12) years shall engage in the activity commonly known as “truck or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting any parent, guardian or other responsible person, having lawfully in his custody a child twelve (12) years or younger, from accompanying such child who is playing “truck or treat” for the purpose of caring for, looking after or protecting such child.
(b) If any person shall engage in the activity commonly known as “truck or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever after 8:00 p.m., he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
NEWPORT NEWS:
Sec. 28-5. – Prohibited trick or treat activities.
(a) If any person beyond the seventh grade of school or over twelve (12) years of age shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, such person shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting any parent, guardian or other responsible person having lawfully in his custody a child twelve (12) years old or younger, from accompanying such child who is playing “trick or treat” for the purpose of caring for, looking after or protecting such child. However, no accompanying parent or guardian shall wear a mask of any type.
(b) If any person shall engage in playing “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever after 8:00 p.m., such person shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
NORFOLK:
Sec. 29-4. – Prohibited “trick or treat” activities.
(a) If any person over the age of twelve (12) years shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting any parent, guardian or other responsible person, having lawfully in his custody a child twelve (12) years old or younger, from accompanying such child who is playing “trick or treat” for the purpose of caring for, looking after or protecting such child.
(b) If any person shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever after 8:00 p.m., he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
PORTSMOUTH:
Sec. 24-4. – “Trick or treat” activities.
(a) If any person over the age of 12 years shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, he shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting any parent, guardian or other responsible person, having lawfully in his custody a child 12 years old or younger, from accompanying such child who is playing “trick or treat” for the purpose of caring for, looking after or protecting such child.
(b) If any person shall engage in the activity commonly known as “trick or treat” or any name whatsoever after 8:00 p.m., he shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
SUFFOLK:
Sec. 54-157. – Halloween designated; age limit for participation; hours of participation; penalty.
(a) Halloween shall be designated as Meet ‘N Treat Day within the city.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person over 12 years of age to participate in the “treating” custom associated with Halloween of going from door-to-door displaying costumes and requesting treats. This shall in no way be construed as to mean any parent or guardian accompanying any child for the protection and safety of the child while making “treating” rounds.
(c) The “treating” custom of going from door-to-door displaying costumes and requesting treats shall be ended no later than 8:00 p.m.
(d) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor and punished as provided insection 1-14
