Prince George's County, MD Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- PG County Code Sec. 14-139.03
- First offense
- Written warning only
- Second offense
- Up to $500 or 30 days
- Third+ offense
- Up to $1,000 or 30 days
- Return-window rule
- Cannot return for 30 days
- Protected activity
- Picketing/demonstrations exempted
Summary
Prince George's County Code Sec. 14-139.03 defines loitering to include blocking a public street or sidewalk after a police officer's warning, or refusing to leave a posted private business or public building on request. A first offense draws only a written warning; repeat offenses carry fines up to $1,000 or 30 days in jail.
Sec. 14-139.03. - Loitering. (a)In this Section, "loiter" means for a person to:(1)Remain on a public street, sidewalk, or pathway, including one privately-owned but used by the public in general, so as to obstruct the free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle after a regular or special police officer has notified the person that the action is unlawful and has requested the person to move...(c)A person who loiters is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to:(1)For the first written offense, a written warning requesting an individual to move; and(2)For a second written offense, a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both; and(3)For a third written offense and subsequent written offenses, a fine not exceeding $1,000.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both.(d)No person shall be charged with a violation of this Section unless and until the arresting officer has first warned the person of the violation and the person has failed or refused to stop the violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 03, added by CB-89-1995 and amended by CB-42-2012, defines "loiter" across six scenarios: remaining on a public street, sidewalk, or pathway (even one privately owned but used by the public) so as to obstruct free passage after an officer has warned the person to move; doing the same from inside a vehicle; refusing to leave a closed private business posted with "No Loitering" signs after being asked by the owner, agent, or officer, unless the person has written permission or is window-shopping at a reasonable hour; refusing to leave an open private business or its lot after the owner or agent asks; refusing to leave a public building, public grounds, or recreational area or its lot after being asked by an officer, guard, or authorized employee, if the person has no apparent lawful purpose there; and returning within 30 days, without lawful business, to a property from which the person was previously told to leave.
The Section expressly protects picketing and orderly demonstration by labor unions or the public, and it bars charging anyone until the arresting officer has first warned the person of the violation and the person has failed or refused to stop.
Violations & Fines
Loitering is a misdemeanor enforced through a graduated warning system: the first written offense draws only a warning requesting the person to move, with no fine. A second written offense carries a fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days imprisonment, or both. A third and any later written offense carries a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 30 days imprisonment, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be charged with loitering the first time I'm stopped in PG County?
Does refusing to leave a store after closing count as loitering?
Is peaceful picketing covered by the loitering law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland public conduct overview
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