Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Howard County, MD (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Howard County Code § 18.402 puts the duty to maintain sidewalks, driveway aprons, and abutting sod on the property owner, not the County, except where tree roots from the County right-of-way or a County utility project caused the damage. Owners who ignore a repair notice face a County-ordered fix billed at full cost.
Sidewalk Repair Is the Abutting Owner's Job in Howard Co.
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 18.402
(a)It shall be the duty and obligation of the owner of property abutting a public right-of-way to maintain the abutting sidewalk, driveway apron and sod or grass within the public right-of-way in such condition as to be safe for public use. However, if the sidewalk has been damaged solely by the roots of trees in the County right-of-way or by a County water or sewer construction project, then i...
Obstruction Rules
Howard County Code § 18.400 empowers the County Council to adopt rules preventing "encroachment" and "obstruction" of sidewalks, and § 18.401 makes violating those rules a misdemeanor. Anyone who blocks a public sidewalk faces a fine between $25 and $50 per offense, or civil enforcement as a Class E offense.
Howard County Bans Sidewalk Obstructions, $25-$50 Fine
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code §§18.400-18.401
Sec. 18.400. - Sidewalks; obstructions. The County Council of Howard County is empowered to adopt such reasonable rules and regulations respecting the use of sidewalks in Howard County, including the right to prevent encroachment thereon and obstruction of the same. Sec. 18.401. - Sidewalks; obstructions; penalties. Any persons violating any rules or regulations that may be adopted in accordanc...
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