Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Baltimore County, MD (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Under Baltimore County Code Section 18-3-304, the Director of Public Works and Transportation can order the owner of property abutting a sidewalk, curb, gutter, or footway to repair or reconstruct it at the owner's own cost whenever the condition threatens health, safety, or welfare. Owners get at least 20 days' notice and can appeal to the County Executive.
Who Repairs a Sidewalk in Baltimore County
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code Section 18-3-304(a), (b)
(a)"Improvement" defined. In this section, "improvement" means to grade, lay out, dig down, fill up, pave, re-pave, construct, reconstruct, repair, extend, widen, or straighten a road, street, alley, curb, gutter, sidewalk, or footway.(b)Authority of Director to require improvements.(1)The Director of Public Works and Transportation may require the owner of property that abuts a road, street, a...
Obstruction Rules
Baltimore County Code Section 18-2-501 bars a driver from entering an intersection, driving across a marked crosswalk, or crossing a sidewalk to enter or exit a garage or parking lot unless there is enough room beyond it to clear the vehicle without blocking other vehicles or pedestrians. The rule applies even when a traffic signal shows green.
Vehicles Can't Block a Baltimore County Sidewalk
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code Section 18-2-501(a), (b)
(a)Prohibition. Notwithstanding any traffic-control signal indication to proceed, the driver of a vehicle may not enter a street intersection or a marked crosswalk or drive across a sidewalk in entering or leaving a garage or parking lot unless there is sufficient space beyond the intersection or crosswalk on the right half of the roadway or in the garage or on the parking lot to accommodate th...
Encroachment Permits
Before any public service corporation, company, or individual can build a main, conduit, pipe, or other structure in a street, road, alley, or public highway in the county's metropolitan district, Baltimore County Code Section 20-1-124 requires filing construction plans with the Director of Public Works and Transportation and getting written approval first.
Permit Required to Build in a Baltimore County Right-of-Way
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code Section 20-1-124
Every public service corporation, company, or individual, before it or they shall begin any construction in any street, road, alley, or public highway within the metropolitan district, shall file with the Director of Public Works and Transportation a plan of such construction showing the location and depth in such street, road, alley, or public highway of the proposed main, conduit, pipe, or ot...
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