Rockville, MD Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Violation
- Misdemeanor
- Officer must warn first
- Required before charging (subsection e)
- Exempt
- Peaceful picketing and lawful assembly
- Source
- Laws of Rockville, Ch. 12, § 12-1.01A
Summary
Rockville bans loitering that blocks pedestrian or vehicle traffic, harasses others, or risks a breach of the peace, but an officer must warn violators before they can be charged.
A person may not loiter at, on or in a public place or place open to the public in such manner:
(1) As to interfere, impede or hinder the free passage of pedestrian or vehicular traffic; or
(2) As to interfere with, obstruct, harass, curse, or threaten or do physical harm to another member or members of the public; or
(3) That by words, acts or other conduct it is clear that there is a reasonable likelihood to result in a breach of the peace or disorderly conduct.
(c) A person may not loiter at a public place or place open to the public and fail to obey the direction of a uniformed police officer or the direction of a properly identified police officer not in uniform to move on, when not to obey such direction would endanger the public peace.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit orderly picketing or other lawful assembly.
(e) 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 such person has failed or refused to stop such violation.
(f) Any person violating any of the provisions in this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Laws of Rockville, Ch. 12, § 12-1.01A)
Cross reference— Punishment for misdemeanors, § 1-10 .
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 13-57 bars loitering in any public place or place open to the public that interferes with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, harasses or threatens others, or is likely to cause a breach of the peace. It also bars refusing a uniformed officer's order to move on when ignoring it would endanger the public peace. Before anyone can be charged, subsection (e) requires an officer to first warn the person and give them a chance to stop. Orderly picketing and lawful assembly are expressly exempt. Violation is a misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Loitering that blocks traffic, harasses others, risks a breach of the peace, or ignoring an officer's warned order to move on is a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be charged with loitering without a warning?
Does this ban peaceful protests?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockville
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How other cities in Montgomery County handle loitering rules.