Anne Arundel County, MD Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 13-1-105
- Notice-to-remove window
- 45 days
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Public Works
- Remedy for noncompliance
- County removes and bills owner
Summary
Anne Arundel County bans obstructions in County roads, easements, and rights-of-way, and orders anyone who places one to remove it within 45 days of notice.
"Obstruction" means any object or structure that blocks or impedes the construction or maintenance of public works... shrubbery or plants of any kind; and storage materials. ... A person who places or maintains an obstruction in, on, over, under or through a County road, easement, or right-of-way shall promptly shift, adjust, accommodate, or remove the obstruction, in consultation with the County.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 13-1-105 defines an "obstruction" as any object or structure that blocks or impedes construction or maintenance of public works, including utility facilities, shrubbery or plants, and storage materials, placed in, on, over, under or through a County road, easement, or right-of-way. The Department of Public Works can order the responsible person to shift, adjust, accommodate, or remove it; if that does not happen within 45 days of written notice, the County can remove it and bill the owner or deduct the cost from any permit security on file. This is the general right-of-way rule that reaches sidewalks, since § 13-3-101 defines "right-of-way" to include the area within dedicated sidewalks the County maintains.
Violations & Fines
No fixed fine is set; noncompliance after the 45-day notice period lets the Department remove the obstruction and bill the owner, or suspend the person's active or pending right-of-way permits until it's cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store material or plant shrubs in the right-of-way in front of my home?
Does this apply in Glen Burnie or Severna Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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