Ocean City, Maryland Ordinances

Ocean City, Maryland Regulations and Ordinances

It is important that while on your vacation in Ocean City, Maryland that you know the rules of the town.  Here is a list of some of the most important information regarding what is and isn’t allowed in the town.

HIGHWAY SAFETY
-The bus/bike lanes on either side of Coastal Highway are not for driving or parking.  Please only use these lanes if you are making a right turn.
-Be mindful of bicyclists and pedestrians when entering or leaving the highway.
-Please keep in mind that the far right lane on either side of the highway is for municipal buses to travel.  They stop at designated bus stops every other block to discharge and load passengers.
-Pedestrians have the right-of-way while crossing the street in the crosswalk, and at intersections.
-Bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as motorists and are liable for citations for any failure to obey the laws of the road.

PARKING REGULATIONS
-Parking is available in the municipal lots, private lots and numerous public streets.
-The Park and Ride located in West Ocean City is free parking.  Park your car there all day and ride the bus round trip for $1 (price is subject to change).  The shuttle into town operates seasonally from the Park and Ride to the S. Division Street Transit Center.
-Sleeping in a motor vehicle in Ocean City is absolutely prohibited.

RV PARKING
-Any oversized vehicle including RVs, are not permitted to park in any municipal lot or alley between April 6 and October 12, 2012. Vehicles exceeding 21 feet, 2 inches or more in length, and 6 feet, 8 inches in width needing more than one parking space is considered oversized.
-For more information, please call the Ocean City Police Department at 410-723-6610.

BOAT TRAILERS
-Parking a boat trailer on the public streets, alleys, or public parking lots from May 1-October 1 is prohibited.
-Trailer parking is available at 100th street municipal lot.  The fee is $10 a day or $50 for the week.

THE OCEAN CITY BUS
“AVOID THE FUSS, RIDE THE BUS”

Riding the bus gives you the opportunity not to worry about fighting the crowds to find parking for the day.  Bus services run 24/7.  Bus stops are located just about every other street along Coastal Highway, Philadelphia Avenue and Baltimore Avenue.  During the summer months buses run approximately ever 10 minutes.  Starting in October to Memorial Day the bus schedule reduces.  The buses run a route south along Coastal Highway and Philadelphia Avenue to S. Division Street, and north on Baltimore Avenue to 15th street turning onto Coastal Highway ending at 144th street near the Delaware border.  

Prices
-$3- An all day pass anywhere in Ocean City from the Inlet to the Delaware State Line.
-$1- One-way pass.
-Discount/coupon books are available at City Hall (410-289-8221)
-City Hall (3rd street), Convention Center Visitor Center (40th street), and Northside Park (125 e=”font-size: 10px; font-family: ‘Times New Roman’; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap; “>th street) provide senior citizen non-resident half fare discount bus passes for those over the age of 60.  There is no charge for this pass and it doesn’t expire.  The half-fare applies only to buses and ADA service.  It does not include the Boardwalk Tram.
-The senior citizen resident pass is a photo ID allowing free rides on the buses and during certain hours on the Boardwalk Trams.  These passes are only available at City Hall. To receive this pass proof of residency, age, and a $7.00 fee is required, and they expire 2 years after the date you purchase it.  For more information, call the Transportation Department at 410-723-1606 or City Hall at 410-289-8221.
-Anyone ADA eligible can call Transportation for at-home pick-up service and request more information on the city buses, which are equipped with a wheelchair lift.

PEDESTRIANS
-Cross only at marked crosswalks, please.  It is recommended that you use crosswalks with pedestrian signal lights.

ALCOHOL ORDINANCES

Drinking is prohibited in public.  This includes any street, alley, sidewalk, beach, boardwalk, parking lot or vehicle.

NOISE LAWS

When visiting Ocean City, people are here to relax and enjoy their vacation, so the town takes its noise regulations seriously.

-It is unlawful to make, cause or continue loud and disturbing noises that endanger the comfort, health, peace or safety of others.
-No disruptive noises are to be made that can be heard at a distance of 50 feet from the building from which it is made between the hours of midnight and 7am.
-Due to the Motor Vehicle Law and Ocean City Town Ordinances, no loud noises are to be made that can be heard at a distance of 50 feet from a vehicle at any time.

BICYCLE ORDINANCES
-Riding your bike on the boardwalk is allowed anytime of the day and night in the off-season from the Tuesday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day.
-During Springfest and Sunfest weekends (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) bike riding is only permitted between 2:00am and 12:00pm of that same day.
-Between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, bike riding is only permitted between 2:00am and 11:00am of that same day.

SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLER BLADES REGULATIONS

Due to heavy population in the summer months, skateboarding, rollerblading/skating, and biking are not permitted during the day on the boardwalk, streets, alleys, sidewalks, or public lots.  Ocean City provides its skateboarders with a skate park located on 3rd St. and St. Louis Avenue.  For information on park hours, please feel free to call the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department Office at 410-250-0125.

OCEAN CITY BEACH
-Use of the beach is free; no beach tags needed, and is open to the public 6am to 10pm.  No private vehicles are permitted on the beach at any time.  Off road passes are available for Assateague Island.
-No ball playing or Frisbee throwing of any kind in front of the white lifeguard stands.  This goes for kite flying as well.  These activities are allowed anywhere else, however.
-Sleeping on the beach is absolutely prohibited between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am.
-No one is allowed on the beach or in the water between 12:00am and 6:00am.
-Glass containers are prohibited on the beach as well as alcohol at all times.
-No skim boarding between 10:00am and 5:30pm.
-No surfing between 10:00am and 5:30pm, unless in designated surfing areas.
-The ocean can be rough so please do not swim
if there is not a lifeguard around.  “Keep your feet in the sand, till the lifeguard’s in the stand.”
-Surf fishing is permitted in Ocean City, but be sure you are at least 50 feet away from swimmers between 9:00am and 6:00pm.

PET REGULATIONS
-Pets are only permitted on the beach or boardwalk between October 1st and April 30th.  Between May 1st and September 30th our furry friends have to stay away from the beach.
– All dogs must be kept on a leash when being walked in the Ocean City area.
-The Dog Playground is located at Little Salisbury Park on 94th St.  For information call Ocean City Recreation & Parks at 410-250-0125.

GRILLING

Barbeque grills, hibachis, gas fired grills, liquid propane, or bonfires are not permitted on the beach or other public property unless you obtain a permit from the Fire Marshal.  Grilling is only allowed on public properties that provide grilling areas.  Bonfires are permitted on Assateague Island subject to their regulations.

MUNICIPAL PARKING LOTS

Parking fees start the first Saturday in April or Good Friday, and end the third Sunday in October.  The Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, located at the southern end of the boardwalk, is open year round with a ticketed fee system.

-The Ocean City Park & Ride located on Rt. 50 is free parking and provides a seasonal shuttle bus.
-The 100th street Parking Lot, bayside, has a daily and weekly fee, payable by credit card only, April 15-October 5.  Parking in this lot is free the rest of the year.

PAY TO PARK

Ocean City provides its visitors with street parking and lots that are accessible by using the pay stations located on the sidewalks and throughout municipal lots.  Once you find a pay station, place the ticket you receive in your car’s windshield.  Cash or credit is accepted at each pay station.  Payment for street parking is due between the hours of 9am and midnight, payment in parking lots is due 24 hours a day.

Ticketed parking lots are located on:
-Worcester St., between Baltimore Avenue and Philadelphia Avenue
-Somerset St. and Baltimore Avenue
-Dorchester St. and Baltimore Avenue
-N. Division St. and Baltimore Avenue
-4th St. and Baltimore Avenue
-1st St. and St. Louis Avenue
-61st St. and Coastal Highway, bayside.