Frequently Asked Questions

All locations are accessible for the physically challenged.

• • Boardwalk at Worcester Street
  • Boardwalk at Caroline Street
  • 3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
  • Boardwalk at 9th Street
  • Boardwalk at 27th Street
  • S. Division Street Transit Center
  • Park & Ride on Rt. 50, just west of Harry Kelley Bridge
  • Transit Center on 144th Street

PUBLIC RINSE-OFF STATIONS

Rinse-off spigots are provided at the following locations:

• Caroline Street (4)
• Inlet Beach (4)
• 9th Street (2)

Yes, public bathrooms can be found at the following locations:

Boardwalk at Worcester Street
Boardwalk at Caroline Street
3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
Boardwalk at 9th Street
Boardwalk at 27th Street
S. Division Street Transit Center

Rinse Stations can be found at:

Caroline Street (4)
Inlet Beach (4)
9th Street (2)

Yes, the Town of Ocean City provides beach wheelchairs at designated locations from 10am to 5pm daily, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Chairs are available from the Beach Patrol and must be used within a block of where they are picked up. Chairs can be rented at the following lots: Inlet Lot, 7th St., 30th St., 40th St., 48th St., 59th St., 70th St., 81st St., 89th St., 94th St., 107th St., 120th St., 130th St., 139th St., 145th St.

As of May 1, 2015, the Clean Air Smoking Ban is in effect. All public smoking on the beach/Boardwalk must be confined to designated areas.

Pets are allowed on the beach and boardwalk from October 1 to April 30 in Ocean City and any time on Assateague; however, pets must be leashed at all times and the owner is responsible for removing any waste. There are lots of pet friendly hotels in town. Also,  The Ocean City Dog Park is on 94th Street, bayside.

Always. The beach is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Always obey the Beach Patrol’s instructions, swim near a lifeguard at all times, and have a buddy with you when you’re in the surf. NOTE: Town Ordinances prohibit throwing balls/Frisbees and other sports on the beach between 9am and 5:30pm from May 30 to September 15.

There is plenty of Free parking in the West Ocean City Park and ride. There you can buy an all day bus ticket that will take you pretty much anywhere worth going in Ocean City. There’s not a ton of free parking in town but the Park and Ride is one of your best bets. You can pay to park at the meters around town and in the Inlet. Here’s more information on municipal parking.

All locations are accessible for the physically challenged.

• • Boardwalk at Worcester Street
  • Boardwalk at Caroline Street
  • 3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
  • Boardwalk at 9th Street
  • Boardwalk at 27th Street
  • S. Division Street Transit Center
  • Park & Ride on Rt. 50, just west of Harry Kelley Bridge
  • Transit Center on 144th Street

PUBLIC RINSE-OFF STATIONS

Rinse-off spigots are provided at the following locations:

• Caroline Street (4)
• Inlet Beach (4)
• 9th Street (2)

That depends, but there’s an algorithm. Two beaches are reserved every day as ‘surfing beaches’ and their locations rotate daily. In addition, one section of beach along the inlet is reserved for surfers. It’s open Monday to Friday during the summer, except on July 4. Check out our surfing page for more information.

To discover today’s surfing beaches or learn about the OC surf report:

• Check Ocean 98.1 WOCM or other local radio stations
• Call the OC Beach Patrol at (410) 289-7556
• Visit http://oceancitymd.gov/Recreation_and_Parks/Beach_Patrol

Surf fishing is welcomed in Ocean City, but for safety’s sake, regulations require you remain 50 yards away from anyone on the beach or in the water between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. There are regulations against luring sharks and chumming.

Pets are allowed on the beach and boardwalk from October 1 to April 30 in Ocean City and any time on Assateague; however, pets must be leashed at all times and the owner is responsible for removing any waste. There are lots of pet friendly hotels in town. Also,  The Ocean City Dog Park is on 94th Street, bayside.

Yes, you may set up your sun shade, canopies, pop-up tents and umbrellas however they must be behind the lifeguard towers so their view to the water is not obstructed.  Nothing between the line of lifeguard towers and the water.

During the summer season, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty from 9am- 5pm.

Yes, public bathrooms can be found at the following locations:

Boardwalk at Worcester Street
Boardwalk at Caroline Street
3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
Boardwalk at 9th Street
Boardwalk at 27th Street
S. Division Street Transit Center

Rinse Stations can be found at:

Caroline Street (4)
Inlet Beach (4)
9th Street (2)

Yes, the Town of Ocean City provides beach wheelchairs at designated locations from 10am to 5pm daily, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Chairs are available from the Beach Patrol and must be used within a block of where they are picked up. Chairs can be rented at the following lots: Inlet Lot, 7th St., 30th St., 40th St., 48th St., 59th St., 70th St., 81st St., 89th St., 94th St., 107th St., 120th St., 130th St., 139th St., 145th St.

As of May 1, 2015, the Clean Air Smoking Ban is in effect. All public smoking on the beach/Boardwalk must be confined to designated areas.

YES! You do not need a license or any permission to metal detect on OC’s beaches, but it is prohibited on Assateague.

The Ocean City beach is 10 continuous miles of all sand, has a large number of daily visitors, and get frequent coastal storms, which is all great for metal detecting.  

If you have lost an important piece of jewelry or metallic item on your visit to the beach, try contacting one of the local metal detecting specialists on theringfinders.com.  Many have high success rates on finding your item for a very reasonable fee. 

Yes, Bonfires are allowed on the beach, but you must first get a permit. Bonfire must be a minimum of 75 feet away from the dunes and only untreated, natural wood may be used in the bonfire. The bonfire permit only covers the singular date and location specified.  Additional locations or dates will require additional, separate permits. The person obtaining the permit must be present during the hours of the bonfire and be over 21.  More information on bonfires on the beach at Assateague and in Ocean City is available here.

All locations are accessible for the physically challenged.

• • Boardwalk at Worcester Street
  • Boardwalk at Caroline Street
  • 3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
  • Boardwalk at 9th Street
  • Boardwalk at 27th Street
  • S. Division Street Transit Center
  • Park & Ride on Rt. 50, just west of Harry Kelley Bridge
  • Transit Center on 144th Street

PUBLIC RINSE-OFF STATIONS

Rinse-off spigots are provided at the following locations:

• Caroline Street (4)
• Inlet Beach (4)
• 9th Street (2)

Yes, public bathrooms can be found at the following locations:

Boardwalk at Worcester Street
Boardwalk at Caroline Street
3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
Boardwalk at 9th Street
Boardwalk at 27th Street
S. Division Street Transit Center

Rinse Stations can be found at:

Caroline Street (4)
Inlet Beach (4)
9th Street (2)

Yes, the Town of Ocean City provides beach wheelchairs at designated locations from 10am to 5pm daily, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Chairs are available from the Beach Patrol and must be used within a block of where they are picked up. Chairs can be rented at the following lots: Inlet Lot, 7th St., 30th St., 40th St., 48th St., 59th St., 70th St., 81st St., 89th St., 94th St., 107th St., 120th St., 130th St., 139th St., 145th St.

As of May 1, 2015, the Clean Air Smoking Ban is in effect. All public smoking on the beach/Boardwalk must be confined to designated areas.

Pets are allowed on the beach and boardwalk from October 1 to April 30 in Ocean City and any time on Assateague; however, pets must be leashed at all times and the owner is responsible for removing any waste. There are lots of pet friendly hotels in town. Also,  The Ocean City Dog Park is on 94th Street, bayside.

Always. The beach is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Always obey the Beach Patrol’s instructions, swim near a lifeguard at all times, and have a buddy with you when you’re in the surf. NOTE: Town Ordinances prohibit throwing balls/Frisbees and other sports on the beach between 9am and 5:30pm from May 30 to September 15.

There is plenty of Free parking in the West Ocean City Park and ride. There you can buy an all day bus ticket that will take you pretty much anywhere worth going in Ocean City. There’s not a ton of free parking in town but the Park and Ride is one of your best bets. You can pay to park at the meters around town and in the Inlet. Here’s more information on municipal parking.

All locations are accessible for the physically challenged.

• • Boardwalk at Worcester Street
  • Boardwalk at Caroline Street
  • 3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
  • Boardwalk at 9th Street
  • Boardwalk at 27th Street
  • S. Division Street Transit Center
  • Park & Ride on Rt. 50, just west of Harry Kelley Bridge
  • Transit Center on 144th Street

PUBLIC RINSE-OFF STATIONS

Rinse-off spigots are provided at the following locations:

• Caroline Street (4)
• Inlet Beach (4)
• 9th Street (2)

That depends, but there’s an algorithm. Two beaches are reserved every day as ‘surfing beaches’ and their locations rotate daily. In addition, one section of beach along the inlet is reserved for surfers. It’s open Monday to Friday during the summer, except on July 4. Check out our surfing page for more information.

To discover today’s surfing beaches or learn about the OC surf report:

• Check Ocean 98.1 WOCM or other local radio stations
• Call the OC Beach Patrol at (410) 289-7556
• Visit http://oceancitymd.gov/Recreation_and_Parks/Beach_Patrol

Surf fishing is welcomed in Ocean City, but for safety’s sake, regulations require you remain 50 yards away from anyone on the beach or in the water between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. There are regulations against luring sharks and chumming.

Pets are allowed on the beach and boardwalk from October 1 to April 30 in Ocean City and any time on Assateague; however, pets must be leashed at all times and the owner is responsible for removing any waste. There are lots of pet friendly hotels in town. Also,  The Ocean City Dog Park is on 94th Street, bayside.

Yes, you may set up your sun shade, canopies, pop-up tents and umbrellas however they must be behind the lifeguard towers so their view to the water is not obstructed.  Nothing between the line of lifeguard towers and the water.

During the summer season, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty from 9am- 5pm.

Yes, public bathrooms can be found at the following locations:

Boardwalk at Worcester Street
Boardwalk at Caroline Street
3rd Street & St. Louis Avenue next to Skate Park
Boardwalk at 9th Street
Boardwalk at 27th Street
S. Division Street Transit Center

Rinse Stations can be found at:

Caroline Street (4)
Inlet Beach (4)
9th Street (2)

Yes, the Town of Ocean City provides beach wheelchairs at designated locations from 10am to 5pm daily, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Chairs are available from the Beach Patrol and must be used within a block of where they are picked up. Chairs can be rented at the following lots: Inlet Lot, 7th St., 30th St., 40th St., 48th St., 59th St., 70th St., 81st St., 89th St., 94th St., 107th St., 120th St., 130th St., 139th St., 145th St.

As of May 1, 2015, the Clean Air Smoking Ban is in effect. All public smoking on the beach/Boardwalk must be confined to designated areas.

YES! You do not need a license or any permission to metal detect on OC’s beaches, but it is prohibited on Assateague.

The Ocean City beach is 10 continuous miles of all sand, has a large number of daily visitors, and get frequent coastal storms, which is all great for metal detecting.  

If you have lost an important piece of jewelry or metallic item on your visit to the beach, try contacting one of the local metal detecting specialists on theringfinders.com.  Many have high success rates on finding your item for a very reasonable fee. 

Yes, Bonfires are allowed on the beach, but you must first get a permit. Bonfire must be a minimum of 75 feet away from the dunes and only untreated, natural wood may be used in the bonfire. The bonfire permit only covers the singular date and location specified.  Additional locations or dates will require additional, separate permits. The person obtaining the permit must be present during the hours of the bonfire and be over 21.  More information on bonfires on the beach at Assateague and in Ocean City is available here.