Sec. 49-16. Covered loads.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 49-16 (2026)
Sec. 49-16. Covered loads.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A person must not carry any loose or bulky material in a motor vehicle on any road, as defined in Section 49-26, unless that part of the motor vehicle in which the load is carried is:
(1)
Fully enclosed on the bottom and all sides; and
(2)
Covered on the top by a firmly secured cover sufficient to contain all loose or bulky material, if the vehicle does not have a roof that covers the entire area in which the load is carried.
(b)
A cover and (for bulky material) sides are not required if the material is contained or secured by other means that prevent its escape.
(c)
As used in this section:
(1)
Loose material includes dirt, ash, sand, pebbles, rocks, gravel, metal, glass, wood chips, and any other substance that can readily blow off or drop from a vehicle;
(2)
Bulk material includes bricks, cinder blocks, lumber, logs, gypsum board, barrels, pipes, furniture, and any other items that can readily drop from a vehicle.
(d)
This Section does not apply to:
(1)
A government agency, or a contractor hired by a government agency, that is using a motor vehicle to:
(A)
Drop sand, salt, or other materials to improve traction;
(B)
Spread water or another substance to clean a road; or
(C)
Collect newspapers for recycling.
(2)
A vehicle transporting agricultural products as harvested.
(3)
A construction or mining vehicle only when it is:
(A)
Crossing a highway; or
(B)
Moving between construction barricades on a public works project.
(4)
A fire and rescue vehicle.