Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Maryland (2026)

4 rules on the books across Maryland, 4 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Sit-Lie Rules

Citywide rules against sitting or lying on public sidewalks during specified daytime hours in commercial corridors, including how courts have constrained enforcement.

Anne Arundel County

Some Restrictions

Anne Arundel County bans loitering that blocks a public sidewalk or street once police give notice and ask the person…

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Encampment Sanitation

How cities provide trash, hygiene, and bulky-item pickup at encampments, the CARE/CARE+ cleanups in LA, and the storage-of-belongings rules from Lavan v. LA.

Frederick

Heavy Restrictions

Frederick's City Code makes it a misdemeanor to camp on any public property, except Harry Grove Stadium, defining…

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Gaithersburg

Heavy Restrictions

Gaithersburg bars unauthorized camping on any city-owned park or land. City Code Section 15A-11 allows camping only…

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Rockville

Some Restrictions

Rockville bars camping or lodging in any city park without a City Manager permit: a narrow, parks-only rule, not a…

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