Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Maryland (2026)
7 rules on the books across Maryland, 6 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 RestrictionsAnne Arundel County bans loitering that blocks a public sidewalk or street once police give notice and ask the person…
Read full rule →Queen Annes County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Queen Anne's County, Maryland, § 13-3 bars loitering in a public place, which § 13-1 defines to…
Read full rule →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 RestrictionsFrederick's City Code makes it a misdemeanor to camp on any public property, except Harry Grove Stadium, defining…
Read full rule →Gaithersburg
Heavy RestrictionsGaithersburg bars unauthorized camping on any city-owned park or land. City Code Section 15A-11 allows camping only…
Read full rule →Worcester County
Heavy RestrictionsWorcester County, Maryland, prohibits inhabiting, camping or sleeping on County road roadsides and rights-of-way…
Read full rule →Queen Annes County
Significant RestrictionsIn Queen Anne's County, Maryland, no one can camp overnight in a public landing, and camping in County parks is…
Read full rule →Rockville
Some RestrictionsRockville bars camping or lodging in any city park without a City Manager permit: a narrow, parks-only rule, not a…
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