NORFOLK, Va. — A night of ghouls, goblins, and hundreds of other alter-egos in pursuit of candy is almost here! While Halloween can be fun for all ages, your locality might have restrictions on who's actually allowed to go door-knocking for sugar. Here's a look at the law across Hampton Roads localities:
Chesapeake
Trick-or-treaters under age 14 in Chesapeake are allowed to be out until 8 p.m. The age limit was raised in 2019, when the city changed its widely criticized but unenforced policy of possible jail time if police caught teenagers trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Sec. 46-8. - Trick or treat activities.
(a) If any person over the age of 14 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 Class 4 misdemeanor. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting any parent, guardian, or other responsible person, having lawfully in his or her custody a child 14 years old or younger, from accompanying said 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 or she shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Franklin
In the City of Franklin, those 12 and under have until 8 p.m. to lawfully trick-or-treat.
§ 19-72 Halloween; prohibited trick or treat activities. [Ord. of 10-28-1996(2); amended by Ord. No. 2004-25, 10-25-2004]
(a) Halloween shall be celebrated on October 31 of each year, except that if October 31 falls on a Sunday, then Halloween shall be celebrated on the preceding Saturday.
(b) If any person over the age of 12 years shall go upon the property of another, without prior invitation, and 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 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.
(c) If any person shall go upon the property of another, without prior invitation, and engage in such activity after 8:00 p.m., he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Gloucester
Gloucester County does not have set laws, but a spokesperson for the city told 13News Now that trick-or-treating is limited to those 12 and under and should be carried out between 6 and 8 p.m.
Hampton
In Hampton, city code says anyone 12 and under can trick-or-treat until 8 p.m.
Sec. 24-5. - Prohibited 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 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 12 years 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.
Newport News
In Newport News, trick-or-treating is allowed until 8 p.m. for those 12 and under.
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
Norfolk trick-or-treaters who are 12 and under can trick-or-treat until 8 p.m.
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.
Poquoson
Halloween trick-or-treating will be observed from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 31 for ages 12 and under.
Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, those 12 and under have until 8 p.m. to lawfully trick-or-treat.
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.
Smithfield
In Smithfield, trick-or-treating is limited to kids 12 and under, and they cannot be out past 8:30 p.m. for trick-or-treating activities.
Sec. 50-2. - Prohibited trick or treat activities.
(a) If any person 13 years of age or older shall engage in the activity commonly known as "trick or treat" or any other activity of a similar nature or character under any name whatsoever, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $50.00; however, nothing contained in this section 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 other activity of similar character or nature under any name whatsoever, between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $50.00.
Suffolk
A spokesperson with the city said that while Suffolk does not designate a trick-or-treating start time, it must end by 8 p.m. You must be age 12 or under.
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 in section 1-14.
Virginia Beach
A city spokesperson said trick-or-treating in Virginia Beach is recognized between dusk and 8 p.m. for those 12 and under.
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.
Williamsburg/James City County
Trick-or-treat hours in the City of Williamsburg and James City County are from 6 to 8 p.m. for children 12 and under. Households that do not want to participate should turn off their porch lights.
York County
In York County, trick or treating is recommended for children 12 and under, and will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.
Trick-or-Treating Tips
The sun sets around 6:30 p.m., so it will likely be dark when your family sets out.
Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for child pedestrians, so make sure you and your child have on something bright and reflective. You can always add reflective tape to their trick-or-treat bags.
Here are more tips to help you and your kids have a fun and safe Halloween:
- Costumes should be easy to walk in and short enough to avoid tripping. They should be made out of non-flammable material and easy to see in the dark. Reflective tape sewn onto the costume works well.
- Trick-or-treaters should plan their route ahead of time, picking streets that are in familiar neighborhoods and well-lit.
- Young children should never trick-or-treat without an adult or older sibling. Older children who trick-or-treat without an adult should do so in a group with the route and return time approved by the caretaker. A flashlight or glow stick should be carried to light the way and to be more visible to cars.
- Only go to homes with the porch light on.
- Trick-or-treaters should cross only at corners, never between parked cars or in the middle of the block. When possible, they should stay on the sidewalk. If there isn’t a sidewalk, they should stay as far left of the roadway as possible and walk facing traffic. When approaching a house, they should watch for candles in Jack-O-Lanterns or other decorations that may catch clothes on fire.
- Trick-or-treaters should never go into the home of a stranger, even if they are invited in.
- Candy should not be eaten until after it has been checked out by an adult. Treats not in their original packaging should be thrown away. Any suspicious candy should be reported to the Police Department as soon as possible. Parents can also check to avoid possible food allergies.
- Drivers should try to avoid cutting through neighborhoods and watch out for kids wearing dark costumes. Remember kids might forget to watch out for you.
- Drivers: slow down! Slowing down by just 10 miles an hour, even at lower speeds, can determine life or death if someone is hit by a car.
