Queen Anne's County, MD Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 22-19 J of the Queen Anne's County Code sets two separate prohibitions. Subsection (1) says consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited except with the specific permission of and a permit issued by the Director. Subsection (2) says the sale of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited without a permit and permission of the Director and a proper liquor license. A permit from the Director does not replace a liquor license for a seller, and a liquor license does not replace the Director's permit. This record covers County parks and facilities under the Department of Parks and Recreation, not bars, restaurants or the incorporated towns' own streets and parks.

Both subsections are Class d offenses. In the § 22-25 C schedule that is the second lowest tier, with a pre-set minimum fine of $50 and a suspension of park privileges from one week to one month. Any other rule in the article is enforced the same way, so an alcohol citation can be paired with others from the same visit. Glass containers are prohibited in County parks and facilities under § 22-19 D (Class e), which matters for bottles, and disturbing the peace with noise or an audio device is a Class e offense under § 22-19 B. Breach of the peace, including a fight, is a Class c offense under § 22-19 L, and every legal order of a park official must be obeyed.

Enforcement belongs under § 22-24 to any Queen Anne's County employee designated by resolution of the County Commissioners, the Department of Natural Resources, the Queen Anne's County Sheriff, the Maryland State Police and other agencies the County Commissioners designate. Interfering with a designee doing the job is itself a violation. The permit route runs through the Department, which issues permits for use of County parks and facilities under § 22-18 C, and permit fees must be paid in full before the event under § 22-23.