Gaithersburg, MD Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

Chapter 15A governs conduct on all land and buildings the city owns or leases, plus other city-supervised programs, per Section 15A-2. Section 15A-5, titled Fishing; golf; roller skating; flying; similar activities, addresses wheeled recreation in subsection (c): roller skating, roller blading, in-line skating, skateboarding and non-motorized scooters may only be used in park areas the city has designated for that purpose, which the code specifically identifies as asphalt paths, skate spots and the city's skate park. Riding a skateboard on an undesignated lawn, plaza or trail inside a city park is outside the permitted use.

Away from parks, Chapter 19's sidewalk rules take a signage-based approach instead of a blanket citywide ban. Section 19-4(d) lets the city manager, by posting signage, prohibit skateboards along with bicycles, scooters, e-bikes and other wheeled devices from specific sidewalk segments, based on the sidewalk's width and usage or a finding that the activity endangers public safety. Where no such signage is posted, wheeled devices not otherwise barred by subsection (a) may use the sidewalk if operated safely, yielding to pedestrians and giving an audible signal before passing.

Both restrictions are locally enacted; neither traces to a state statute, and Montgomery County zoning does not apply here because Gaithersburg administers its own parks and streets independently of the county.