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

Section 6-19(a) grounds the rule in Maryland Code, Alcoholic Beverages § 6-321, which lets an individual consume alcohol on public property only if the governing entity that controls the property authorizes it. Frederick's ordinance then sets the default: except as otherwise provided, an individual may not consume or possess an open container of alcohol in a park or on any other public property within the City, including inside a parked vehicle on public property (§ 6-19(c)). "Public property" is defined broadly to include structures, roads, parking areas, or grounds owned, leased, or operated by the City, the County, or the State.

The ordinance carves out several exceptions. The Board of Aldermen may authorize alcohol consumption for a special event it determines is significant to the City, or where consumption would not be contrary to the public interest, and may attach conditions to that authorization; the Mayor separately may authorize alcohol at a special event held entirely inside a structure. Carroll Creek Linear Park has its own carve-out for restaurant or business space operating there under a lease or license, permitting consumption under a valid liquor license.

Outdoor dining areas such as sidewalk cafes and parklets operating under valid City permits are likewise allowed to serve alcohol under a valid liquor license and applicable law. These exceptions were added by later amending ordinances (G-18-01 in 2018 and G-20-25 in 2020), showing the City has progressively carved out its growing outdoor-dining and Carroll Creek business districts from the general open-container ban.