Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Montgomery County, MD (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Montgomery County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Obstruction Rules

Montgomery County bans placing objects, fences, or structures in the public right-of-way without a permit; the Director of Permitting Services can authorize temporary sidewalk, curb, or driveway closures for construction and repair work.

Montgomery County Right-of-Way Obstruction Rules

Significant Restrictions

Montgomery County Code § 49-10

Except as provided in Section 49-11, in the public right-of-way, a person must not: (a) place, maintain, use, permit, allow, or exercise control over, any object or structure; (b) perform any reconstruction or maintenance work; or (c) allow the erection or placement of any structure, fence, post, rock, or other object, except: (1) mailboxes mounted on a support that will bend or break away on i...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Encroachment Permits

Any private work in a Montgomery County road right-of-way -- sidewalks, driveways, retaining walls, utility cuts -- requires a permit from the Director of Permitting Services under County Code Section 49-35.

Montgomery County Right-of-Way Encroachment Permit

Some Restrictions

Montgomery County Code Section 49-35

A permit is required from the Director of Permitting Services for any work within the public right-of-way... Before an applicant begins any road, sidewalk, sidepath, bikeway, curb and gutter, driveway, retaining wall, steps, or drainage project, on a road or within the boundaries of a dedication to public use, the applicant for a permit to undertake any such project must pay to the County an in...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules by City in Montgomery County

2 cities in Montgomery County have their own sidewalk & pedestrian rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

GaithersburgPop. 69,657

1 verified rule • Encroachment Permits

RockvillePop. 68,401

3 verified rules • Encroachment Permits, Obstruction Rules

All Montgomery County ordinances

See every category we cover for Montgomery County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Montgomery County Ordinance Hub →