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Howard County, MD Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Places banned
20 listed locations in §21.221(a)
Driveway buffer
No parking within 5 feet
Bike lane
Added to the list in 2020
Penalty
Class D civil offense (§21.213)
Criminal fine cap
$100 misdemeanor under same subtitle
Impoundable spots
Driveways, crosswalks, ramps, bike lanes, more
State law mirror
Md. Transp. §21-1003

Summary

Howard County Code § 21.221 bans stopping, standing, or parking in 20 specific places, from blocking a driveway to sitting on a sidewalk, in an intersection, or in a bike lane. Violations carry a Class D civil citation, and police can impound vehicles blocking driveways, crosswalks, ramps, or several other listed spots. A companion state law, Md. Transportation § 21-1003, mirrors these same restrictions.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a)Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or directions of a Police Officer or traffic control device, an individual may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle:(1)In front of or within five feet of a public driveway, or within a private driveway, without the consent of the owner or occupant of the premises;(2)Within an intersection;(3)Within a tee or modified tee turnaround;(4)On a sidewalk or pathway;(5)On a pedestrian or school crosswalk;...(17)In any hazardous or congested parking area posted as a no-parking, tow-away zone;...(20)In a bike lane.(b)The Police Department may impound a vehicle for a violation of subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (14), (15), (17), (19), or (20) of this section.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).

Full Breakdown

221 of the Howard County Code lists 20 specific places where an individual may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle unless doing so is necessary to avoid conflicting traffic or is directed by a Police Officer or traffic control device. The list covers blocking a driveway (within five feet, or on private property without the owner's consent), parking within an intersection, a tee or modified tee turnaround, a sidewalk or pathway, a crosswalk, a safety zone approach, an excavation or obstruction, a bridge, tunnel, or highway ramp, Board of Education property posted against parking, any spot marked no-parking by sign or curb marking, within 30 feet of a traffic signal or sign, on the roadway side of another parked vehicle, on the traveled portion of a roadway, within 100 feet of an intersecting driveway outside residential zones, a posted tow-away zone, the center island of a cul-de-sac, a space reserved for plug-in vehicle charging, and, since a 2020 amendment, in a bike lane.

225 sets the same rule for one-way roadways. Maryland's own transportation code, at § 21-1003, contains nearly identical stopping and standing prohibitions and gives the County independent authority to enforce them. 213, most violations of this subtitle are a Class D civil offense, while a criminal citation under the same subtitle caps at a $100 fine. 221(b) lets the Howard County Police Department impound the vehicle rather than just cite it.

Violations & Fines

A first parking violation under this subtitle is generally a Class D civil offense with a citation from the Police Department or a parking enforcement officer; a related criminal charge under § 21.213 caps at a $100 fine. For the more serious blockages listed in § 21.221(b), such as driveways, crosswalks, sidewalks, ramps, bike lanes, and tow-away zones, officers may impound the vehicle immediately rather than only cite it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How close to a driveway can I park in Howard County?
Not within five feet of it, and not inside a private driveway at all without the owner's or occupant's consent. Howard County Code § 21.221(a)(1) lists this among 20 specific places where stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle is prohibited unless a Police Officer or traffic control device requires it.
Can Howard County police tow my car for a parking violation?
Yes, for the more serious violations. Section 21.221(b) authorizes the Police Department to impound a vehicle parked in a driveway buffer, intersection, sidewalk, crosswalk, bridge, tunnel, ramp, tow-away zone, plug-in charging space, or bike lane, rather than issuing only a citation for those specific locations.
Is parking in a bike lane illegal in Howard County?
Yes. A 2020 amendment added bike lanes to the list of places in § 21.221(a)(20) where stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle is prohibited, and vehicles left in a bike lane are subject to impoundment under § 21.221(b) in addition to a Class D civil citation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Howard County

All Howard County rules

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