Public Conduct in Baltimore County, MD (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Standing on a highway shoulder, lane divider, or roadway to solicit donations in Baltimore County requires a permit from the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections under Code § 21-18-102, tracking the state ban in Transportation Article § 21-507. The Department must refuse the permit if the location or method would endanger public safety, and unpermitted roadway solicitation carries fines up to $500.
Baltimore County Roadway Solicitation Permit
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-18-102; § 21-18-108(c); § 21-18-109
In accordance with § 21-507 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, a person may not occupy or stand on a lane divider or in a roadway or shoulder to solicit without possessing and displaying a permit issued by the Department. ... A person who violates any provision of this title is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $500. ... A person who violates the provisio...
Public Urination
Baltimore County makes it a misdemeanor to urinate or defecate on a public street, alley, sidewalk or in a public building outside a designated restroom, carrying up to a $100 fine or 30 days in jail.
Baltimore County Bans Urinating or Defecating in Public
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 17-1-111
(a)In general. A person may not urinate or defecate from or on a public street, public alley, public sidewalk, or, except within proper facilities designated as public rest rooms, a public building.(b)Penalty. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both.
Skateboarding Rules
Baltimore County Code Section 18-2-603 makes it unlawful to ride a skateboard on any public highway, or on public or commercial property that has been conspicuously posted against skateboard riding. A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine between $10 and $50.
Baltimore County Bans Skateboarding on Public Highways
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code Section 18-2-603(a), (b)
(a)Prohibition. A person may not ride a skateboard on:(1)A public highway; or(2)Public property or commercial property which has been conspicuously posted to prohibit skateboard riding.(b)Penalty. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $10 and not exceeding $50.
Loud Party Ordinance
A party of four or more people that generates excessive noise, drugs, fights, public urination or spillover crowds onto the street is an unruly social gathering under Baltimore County Code Section 13-7-132, and both the host and the property owner can be cited, fined, and ordered into community service.
Baltimore County Unruly Social Gathering Law
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code Section 13-7-131, 13-7-132, 13-7-134
Unruly social gathering means a party, event, or assemblage of four or more persons at a residence or other private property where:(1)Alcoholic beverages are being furnished to, consumed by, or in possession of any underage person in violation of state law; or(2)Behavior or conduct is occurring that results in a substantial disturbance of the peace and quiet enjoyment of private or public prope...
Loitering Rules
Baltimore County bars loitering within 50 feet of a business during operating hours once the owner has asked a person to leave and police have already ordered them off within 48 hours. A tighter 250-foot no-loiter zone applies after closing at bars, package stores, game rooms and arcades.
Baltimore County Loitering Near Businesses Rule
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 17-1-101
(b)A person may not loiter on or within 50 feet of a commercial premises during ordinary business hours if:(1)The owner, operator, or authorized agent of the commercial premises has requested the person to leave the commercial premises; and(2)A police officer has directed the person to leave the commercial premises within the last 48 hours.(c)Except if consent has been granted by the owner, ope...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Baltimore County bans smoking, including e-cigarettes, in the outdoor areas of specific park facilities: playgrounds, tot lots, dog parks, sponsored athletic events, and within 30 feet of any Recreation and Parks building. The Department of Recreation and Parks enforces the rule.
Smoking Banned in Baltimore County Parks
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 30-1-201(x)
(x)Smoking.(1)"Smoking" means:(i)The act of smoking or carrying a lighted cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, pipe of any kind, or any lighted tobacco; or(ii)Lighting a cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, pipe of any kind, or tobacco of any kind.(2)A person may not smoke within the general boundary of the outdoor area of the following Recreation and Parks facilities:(i)Playgrounds and t...
Public Alcohol Use
Baltimore County makes it a misdemeanor to possess an open alcoholic beverage container on public property, property used by the public, or a highway, or inside a vehicle parked there. Narrow carve-outs cover motor-home living quarters and chartered buses with the operator's consent.
Baltimore County Open Container Ban
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 17-1-103
(a)Prohibition. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not possess an alcoholic beverage in an open container:(1)On public property, property used by the public, or a highway; or(2)In a vehicle that is located on public property, property used by the public, or a highway.(b)Exceptions. This section does not apply to:(1)Possession of alcoholic beverages in open contai...
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