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Annapolis, MD Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

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

Key Facts

Covers
streets, parks, vehicles, parking lots
First-offense fine
up to $100
Repeat-offense fine
up to $500
Market House exception
ABC Board may permit
Enforcing agency
Annapolis Police Department

Summary

Annapolis bans consuming alcohol or carrying an open or unsealed container on city streets, sidewalks, parking areas, vehicles, and public parks and facilities, with narrow board-approved exceptions.

A person may not consume any alcoholic beverage or possess an open alcoholic container or possess an alcoholic beverage container on which the seal has been broken in or on any of the following areas or places within the City: 1. Any street, public way, highway, alley, sidewalk, road or parking area; 2. Any vehicle; 3. Any station or terminal; 4. Any park, playground, parking lot, or any other public facility leased, with the exception of the City Market House, owned or operated by the City...

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 2025 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 7.12.100(A) bars consuming alcohol or possessing an open or broken-seal alcoholic beverage container on any street, alley, sidewalk, parking area, vehicle, transit station, park, playground, or other City-owned or leased public facility, plus the exterior grounds of licensed alcohol establishments and adjacent parking lots. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board may permit consumption inside the City Market House and, case by case, during Mayor-designated special events or where it finds consumption would not be contrary to the public interest. A companion provision, § 7.12.420, separately bans possession or consumption on public highways.

Violations & Fines

Violating § 7.12.100 is a misdemeanor; the code's penalty schedule sets the fine at not more than $100 for a first offense and not more than $500 for a repeat or continuous violation (§ 7.12.100(C)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink alcohol in an open container on an Annapolis sidewalk?
No. City Code § 7.12.100(A) bans consuming or possessing an open or unsealed alcoholic beverage container on any street, sidewalk, alley, or parking area in the city.
Is drinking ever allowed at the City Market House?
Yes. § 7.12.100(B)(1) lets the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board permit alcohol consumption inside the City Market House, unlike other public City-owned facilities.
What's the penalty for a first open-container violation?
A fine of not more than $100 for a first offense, rising to not more than $500 for a repeat or continuous violation, per the code's penalty schedule for § 7.12.100(C).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Annapolis

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsAggressive PanhandlingSignificant RestrictionsPublic UrinationSignificant RestrictionsLoitering RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant Restrictions

All Annapolis rules

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