Montgomery County, MD Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit
- 24 consecutive hours on any street
- Citation
- Montgomery County Code § 31-16
- Exception
- Adjacent to owner's own residence/business
- Enforcement
- Police impoundment under § 31-21
- Not covered
- Rockville, Gaithersburg, Takoma Park
Summary
Montgomery County prohibits parking any motor vehicle or trailer on a public highway, road, or street for more than 24 hours, except immediately adjacent to the owner's own residence or business.
The parking of motor vehicles and trailers upon the highways, roads and streets in the county for a period longer than twenty-four (24) hours is hereby prohibited; except when not otherwise prohibited adjacent to property lines of owner’s residence or business. (1978 L.M.C., ch. 7, § 2.) Editor’s note—See County Attorney Opinion dated 10/6/00 indicating that long-term parking on public streets is prohibited in certain circumstances, but not based on the size of the vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 31-16 bans leaving any vehicle or trailer parked on a public highway, road, or street for longer than 24 straight hours, with an exception where parking is otherwise legal right next to the owner's own residence or business. Under § 31-21, County Police or another officer the County Executive designates can impound any vehicle parked in violation, and the owner must pay the outstanding fine plus an administrative cost and any towing or storage charge before reclaiming it. The rule applies on county-maintained roads; Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park run their own municipal codes and enforce their own parking rules instead.
Violations & Fines
Impoundment under § 31-21, plus the fine set by Council resolution, an administrative towing cost, and storage charges: all due before the vehicle is released to its owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my car parked on the street overnight in Montgomery County?
What happens if my car is parked longer than 24 hours?
Does the 24-hour rule apply in Rockville or Gaithersburg?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
How Montgomery County compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland parking rules overview
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