Parking Rules in Bowie, MD (2026)
10 verified parking rules for Bowie, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
In residential zones in the City of Bowie, City Code § 26-4 caps what can be parked on the lot to one unoccupied camping vehicle and one watercraft-and-trailer combination per household, alongside passenger vehicles, and § 26-8 bars parking any camping vehicle, trailer or watercraft on decks, patios, walkways or unpaved yard surfaces except during a declared snow emergency.
Bowie Residential RV and Boat Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 26-4, 26-8
§ 26-4. Permitted vehicle parking in residential base zones and rural and agricultural base zones. ... The parking or storing of vehicles in the residential base and the rural and agricultural base zones shall be limited to the following vehicles owned or used by the occupants of the premises and their bona fide guests: ... ... B. One unoccupied camping vehicle. C. One watercraft and trailer de...
Driveway Rules
The City of Bowie bars parking or storing any motor vehicle, watercraft, trailer, motor home or camping vehicle on a residential lot's deck, patio, porch, walkway, sidewalk, sport court, or any other unpaved surface. The only exception is during a declared snow emergency, when the rule lifts to allow emergency parking.
Bowie Ban on Parking on Unpaved Yard Areas
Heavy RestrictionsBowie City Code § 26-8
The parking or storage of motor vehicles, watercraft, trailers, motor homes and camping vehicles shall be prohibited on any deck, patio, porch, walkway, or sidewalk or on any basketball, tennis or sport court or on any unpaved area of a residential lot except during a snow emergency.
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
In residential zones and on residentially improved property in the City of Bowie, § 26-3A of the City Code bars storing, parking or repairing an oversized commercial vehicle, one over 7,500 pounds GVW, with lettering over four inches, over 300 cubic feet of load space, dual rear axles, or a stake, crane or tow truck, outside a private garage at any time.
Bowie Commercial Vehicle Parking Ban
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 26-3A
§ 26-3A. Commercial vehicles. ... Except as may otherwise be permitted in this chapter, no owner, occupant, or lessee of property within the City that is residentially zoned or improved with a residential structure, including but not limited to single-family dwellings, townhouses, condominiums, and apartments, may permit the storage, parking, or repair of a commercial vehicle exceeding the manu...
Street Parking Limits
In the City of Bowie, § 14-10 of the City Code bars parking anywhere that blocks a driveway, fire hydrant, crosswalk or intersection, and § 14-10A requires cars on a one-way street to park parallel to the curb facing the direction of travel, with wheels within 12 inches of the curb, so parking against traffic is itself a violation.
Bowie On-Street Parking Restrictions
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 14-10, 14-10A
§ 14-10. Parking unlawful in specified places. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle at any time if such vehicle or any part thereof is parked: ... ... P. On a street or public way at a location which obstructs the entrance to any driveway or the entrance to any building or garage or prevents passage over and upon any driveway or private vehicle entrance ...
Overnight Parking
The City of Bowie has no blanket overnight parking ban; instead, City Code § 14-13A bars leaving any vehicle on a City street or public space for more than 72 continuous hours without moving it at least one full vehicle length under its own power. An abandoned vehicle can't stay on a City street at all, per § 14-13B.
Bowie 72-Hour Street Parking Limit
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 14-13
§ 14-13. Parking for continuous period; penalty. ... A. No vehicle shall be left upon any City street or public space in the City for a continuous period longer than 72 hours without being moved a distance of at least one full vehicle length. If the vehicle is a motor vehicle, the vehicle must be moved under its own power. B. No abandoned vehicle shall be left upon any City street for any period.
EV Charging
In the City of Bowie, a property already operating under an approved special exception zoning use, such as a church, school or commercial site, can add electric vehicle charging stations without filing a brand-new special exception application. The Planning Director alone can review and approve that specific change.
Bowie EV Charging Special Exception Rule
Light RestrictionsBowie City Code § 26-43G(3)
Changes to approved special exceptions solely to add one or more electric vehicle charging stations shall not require the filing and approval of new applications and may be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director. Following approval by the Planning Director, the applicant shall submit a copy of the revised special exception site plan to the Department of Planning and Sustainability for i...
Abandoned Vehicles
In the City of Bowie, no abandoned vehicle may sit on a City street for any period under Bowie City Code § 14-13, and an inoperative vehicle exposed to public view on a residential lot for 10 continuous days becomes impoundable under § 14-16, with a mandatory seven-day notice to the property owner first.
Abandoned Vehicle Removal Rules in Bowie, Maryland
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 14-13, 14-16
No abandoned vehicle shall be left upon any City street for any period. ... ... § 14-16. Inoperative vehicles on private property. A. Any inoperative vehicle found parked or stored exposed to public view anywhere on any residential lot for a continuous period of 10 days may be removed, conveyed, and impounded by or under the direction of the City Manager or his designee. Vehicles that may be im...
Curb Color Rules
In the City of Bowie, parking in a space marked by signs or curb painting as a fire or emergency lane is unlawful under City Code § 14-10U, and it's one of the costliest street-parking violations on the books: a flat $250 fine under § 14-25B(2), the same tier as parking in a disabled space without the required plate or placard.
Bowie Fire Lane Curb Painting Rule
Significant RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 14-10U, 14-25B(2)
§ 14-10. Parking unlawful in specified places. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle at any time if such vehicle or any part thereof is parked: ... ... U. In an area designated by signs or curb painting as a fire or emergency lane. ... ... § 14-25. Violations and penalties. ... (2) The fine for a violation of § 14-10, Subsections T and U, shall be $250.
Preferential Parking Districts
In the City of Bowie, residents can petition the City Council to create a residential permit parking district under Bowie City Code § 14-24, but only after gathering signatures from at least 80% of households in the area and going through a public hearing; approved districts restrict street parking to permit holders under a Council resolution.
Residential Permit Parking Districts in Bowie, MD
Significant RestrictionsBowie City Code § 14-24
§ 14-24. Designation; implementation; enforcement. A. Procedure for designating residential permit parking districts. There is established a residential permit parking district program which shall be available in all areas or neighborhoods of the City which are zoned residential. ... (1) Petition. In order to be considered for designation as a residential permit parking district, a neighborhood...
Snow Removal Parking Rules
In the City of Bowie, two or more inches of snow or ice on City streets automatically triggers a snow emergency under Bowie City Code § 14-18, banning all street parking until the streets are cleared; the City Manager may tow vehicles blocking plowing under § 14-19, though not before 8:00 a.m. if the snow began falling after 10:00 p.m. under § 14-21.
Snow Emergency Parking Ban in Bowie, Maryland
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 14-18 to 14-21
§ 14-18. Snow emergencies. The accumulation of snow and ice on the streets of the City in a depth of two or more inches constitutes a snow emergency. Parking of vehicles on the streets of the City is prohibited during snow emergencies. The snow emergency shall remain in effect until snow accumulation has been cleared. § 14-19. Impoundment of vehicles obstructing street clearance. The City Manag...
Looking for Prince George's County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bowie city rules.
Parking Rules in Prince George's County →