Queen Anne's County, MD Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Park hours
- Set and posted by the Department of Parks and Recreation
- Park closures
- Director can close with advance public posting
- Public landings
- Open 24 hours a day unless posted otherwise
- After-hours parking
- Prohibited when park is not open, Class e
- Class e penalty
- $50 minimum fine, 1 day to 1 week suspension
- Citation deadlines
- Pay in 20 days or elect trial within 10 days
Summary
In Queen Anne's County, Maryland, the Department of Parks and Recreation sets and posts the hours of County parks, and the Director can close any park property in whole or for certain uses with advance posting. Public landings are open 24 hours a day unless posted otherwise. Parking in a park when it is closed is a Class e offense.
A. In general. ... A person may use a public landing 24 hours a day unless otherwise posted by the Department of Parks and Recreation. ... B. Hours of operation. (1) The Department will establish hours of operation for park property under its jurisdiction and will post accordingly. (2) Any park property may be closed by the Director to the public entirely or for certain uses and such closings shall be posted in advance for public notice. ... (1) No persons may stop, stand or park a motor vehicle on park property (Class e offense). ... (j) During those hours when park property is not open to the public;
Full Breakdown
Queen Anne's County does not print a single nightly curfew time for its parks. Instead, § 22-18(B)(1) says the Department of Parks and Recreation will establish hours of operation for park property under its jurisdiction and will post accordingly, so the posted sign is the rule at each park. Section 22-18(B)(2) adds that any park property can be closed by the Director to the public entirely or for certain uses, and that closings must be posted in advance for public notice. Public landings run on a different default.
Under § 20-7(A), a person can use a public landing 24 hours a day unless otherwise posted by the Department of Parks and Recreation, and § 20-7(B) bars camping overnight there. The after-hours consequence that the code spells out is for vehicles: § 22-22(E)(1)(j) says no person may stop, stand or park a motor vehicle on park property during those hours when park property is not open to the public. That is a Class e offense. Traffic and parking in County parks is under the direction of the Department of Parks and Recreation, and all posted signs and the instructions of park officials must be obeyed under § 22-22(A).
Landing use also requires a permit under § 20-3 to launch or remove a vessel or to park a vehicle or trailer. Enforcement under § 22-24 is by County employees designated by resolution of the County Commissioners, the Department of Natural Resources, the Queen Anne's County Sheriff and the Maryland State Police. The county rules apply in unincorporated Queen Anne's County, including Kent Island, and do not set hours for town parks in Centreville, Queenstown or the other incorporated towns.
Violations & Fines
Under § 22-25, a Class e offense carries a minimum preset fine of $50 and a suspension of park privileges of 1 day to 1 week. Fines are capped at $500, or $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense, and each day can be a separate offense. Citations are payable within 20 calendar days, or the person can elect to stand trial within 10 calendar days of receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Queen Anne's County parks close?
Are public landings open at night?
Can I leave my car in a park after closing?
How do I contest a park citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Queen Anne's County
Compare Queen Anne's County to another location·View the Maryland curfew laws overview
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