Charles County, MD Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)

Chapter 287, Article I of the Charles County Code governs winter driving and parking on designated routes. Section 287-1 lets the Department of Public Works designate county roads as snow emergency routes and requires signs marking them. Section 287-2 ties the emergency declaration to the state: a snow emergency "shall exist in Charles County during the period of time for which a snow emergency is declared by the Superintendent of State Police or his representative for state highways located in Charles County," and it stays in effect until that official lifts it.

Section 287-3 bars driving a motor vehicle (other than a motorcycle) on a signed snow emergency route during a declared emergency unless it is equipped with chains or snow tires on at least one wheel at each end of a driving axle; § 287-5 defines qualifying snow tires by manufacturer designation, State Highway Administration approval, or cut antiskid tread patterns. Section 287-4 is the parking rule itself: a person may not park a vehicle on a designated, signposted snow emergency route while a snow emergency is declared and in effect, and the State Police or the Charles County Sheriff's Office may have the vehicle towed, with towing costs charged to the owner. Section 287-6 requires the Department of Public Works to maintain and publish the list of designated routes to the public.