Plain Text Law

Chapter 31. Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Regulations

COMCOR 31.00.01 Assessment of Administrative Cost for Impoundment or Immobilization

COMCOR 31.00.01 Assessment of Administrative Cost for Impoundment or Immobilization

Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.00.01.01 (2026)
31.00.01.01Copy Citation
For the purpose of quadrennial review, the administrative cost charged the owner of any vehicle that is impounded or immobilized in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 31 shall continue at $10, effective October 30, 1992. Further, such administrative charge must be paid before the vehicle is released.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.00.01.02 (2026)
31.00.01.02Copy Citation
The administrative costs collected shall continue to be held in an expense fund maintained by the Department of Finance and used to defray the expenses associated with the extraordinary collection methods of impoundment and immobilization.

COMCOR 31.09B.01 School Bus Safety Cameras

COMCOR 31.09B.01 School Bus Safety Cameras

Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.09B.01.01 (2026)
31.09B.01.01 PurposeCopy Citation
The purpose of this regulation is to establish civil penalties in accordance with § 21-706.1 of the Transportation Article.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.09B.01.02 (2026)
31.09B.01.02 Civil PenaltyCopy Citation
The civil penalty to be imposed for a violation of §21-706.1 of the Transportation Article is $250 to conform with the decision of the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland.

Sec. 31-33 Authority of County Executive to Establish Fees, Time Limits - Regulations

COMCOR 31.33.01 Transportation Fares, Fees, and Charges

Council Resolution No. 20-806
Subject: FY26 Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares
Action:
Transportation fares, fees, and charges in Resolution 20-506 are amended as described in Table 1, attached. Effective dates for Transportation Management District charges have been updated. Changes to Ride On bus fares take effect June 29, 2025. All other changes become effective July 1, 2025 or as otherwise specified in law.
TABLE 1: TRANSPORTATION FARES, FEES, AND CHARGES
I. Transit Fares | Ride On, Ride On Extra, Ride On Flex and Flash Fares | Free
II. Parking Fees (Note: No payment is required for motorcycles in spaces or areas where only motorcycle parking is permitted. No payment is required for any vehicle at all public parking spaces on Sundays and County holidays.)
III. Parking Fines and Other Charges (with County Code Section Citations)
IV. Transportation Management District (TMD) annual fees In this section Gross Floor Area (GFA) is defined as described in Section 52-47 of the County Code.
(Legislative History: Council Res. No. 20-806; Supersedes: Council Res. No. 20-506; which superseded Council Res. No. 20-167; which superseded Council Res. No. 19-1259; which superseded Council Res. No. 19-1070; which superseded Council Res. No. 19-997; which superseded Council Res. No. 19-856; which superseded Council Res. No. 19-441; which superseded Council Res. No. 19-115; which superseded Council Res. No. 19-37; which superseded Council Res. No. 18-1162; which superseded Council Res. No. 18-1129; which superseded Council Res. No. 18-808; which superseded Council Res. No. 18-547; which superseded Council Res. No. 18-489; which superseded Council Res. No. 18-128; which superseded Council Res. No. 17-1088; which superseded Council Res. No. 17-746; which superseded Council Res. No. 17-431; which superseded Council Res. No. 17-139; which superseded Council Res. No. 16-1410; which superseded Council Res. No. 16-1358, which superseded Council Res. No. 16-1214, which superseded Council Res. No. 16-1260, which superseded Council Res. No. 16-951, which superseded Council Res. No. 16-821, which superseded Council Res. No. 16-452, which superseded Council Res. No. 16-589, which superseded Council Res. No. 16-283, which superseded Council Res. Nos. 16-236 and 16-140, which superseded Council Res. No. 15-1730, which superseded Council Res. No. 15-1481, which superseded Council Res. No. 15-1326; which superseded Council Res. No. 15-789)

Sec. 31-48 Parking Permit Areas - Regulations

COMCOR 31.48.01 Residential Permit Parking Guidelines

Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.48.01.01Definitions (2026)
31.48.01.01DefinitionsCopy Citation
As used in this Executive Regulation, the following definitions apply:
Block – That property abutting both sides of a street that lies between the nearest intersecting streets or the nearest intersecting street and railroad right-of-way, un-subdivided acreage or body of water or between any of the aforementioned and any other barrier to the continuity of development. Dimensions may also be determined by unique block number. In all other circumstances not specifically addressed, the Director of the Department of Transportation or Director’s designee shall have the final determination.
Applicant Block – Block of residents that initiates process to establish a residential permit parking area.
Eligible Block – Block within the boundaries of an established residential permit parking area that does not currently have residential parking restrictions.
Participant Block – Block within the boundaries of a residential permit parking area on which permit parking restrictions have been installed. Residents of this block are qualified to purchase permits.
Block Face – One side of the street on a block.
Contract Work – Scheduled work on a residence that may require multiple visits by a contractor or commercial enterprise for an extended period which is not recurring in nature.
Curb Occupancy – The total amount of legal on-street parking on a particular residential block or block face that is occupied. This measurement is expressed as a percentage.
Intra-commuting – Practice of residents from one section of a residential permit parking area travelling to and parking on blocks in another section of that same residential permit parking area in an attempt to gain easier access to some facility or feature.
Permit – A unique identification assigned to a specific vehicle that allows that vehicle to park within the boundaries of an explicit residential permit parking area where permit parking restrictions exist. The permit could be in the form of a placard, sticker or electronically matched to a vehicle’s license plate number or some other sort of identification method.
Metro Impact Area – Any neighborhood within a 4,000 foot radius of an existing or approved metro or light rail station that could be impacted by commuting motorists to that station. Approval of the metro or light rail station is determined by the appropriate transportation agency. A metro impact area takes into account homeowner/civic association boundaries as well as natural, and infrastructure boundaries. It does not include special taxing districts, municipalities, private developments or government complexes within which the Montgomery County Department of Transportation has no jurisdiction.
Non-local Vehicles – Vehicles not registered to addresses within 1,000 feet of the applicant block(s) or within Montgomery County. This can include vehicles belonging to residents who are intra-commuting.
Residential Permit Parking Area (RPPA) – The area encompassed by a legal boundary determined by the Department of Transportation and established by executive order. It could encompass not only the applicant block(s), but also surrounding blocks and streets. A unique name identifier is given to each area.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.48.01.02Overview (2026)
31.48.01.02Overview of the Residential Permit Parking (RPP) ProgramCopy Citation
The Montgomery County RPP Program is designed to mitigate adverse on-street parking effects generated by public facilities or areas that have been zoned as commercial or business districts on surrounding neighborhoods. The program is not a mechanism to resolve on-street parking issues created by adjacent or neighboring residential properties. As a result, this program is not available to all residents within Montgomery County.
Outside of a Metro Impact Area only single-family dwelling units are eligible to participate in the program. Inside of a Metro Impact Area single-family and multi-family dwelling units may request residential permit parking. However, multi-family dwelling units are only eligible upon a determination by MCDOT that the property/properties within the requested area have inadequate off-street parking available based on zoning regulations.
Within a neighborhood participating in the RPP Program, residential permit parking restrictions:
1. Must not be installed on roads where parking has been prohibited for safety or operational reasons as determined by MCDOT. On roads where MCDOT has restricted parking during certain periods for operational purposes, permit parking may be allowed, however, permits do not authorize parking during the periods when all parking has been restricted by MCDOT.
2. Must not be installed on a Block Face zoned for a non-residential use.
3. Must not be installed adjacent to properties that do not function as residences but are zoned for residential use unless the Director makes a finding that the properties are (1) not publicly owned, (2) not needed for public use in the reasonably foreseeable future, and (3) not capable of supporting building improvements in the reasonably foreseeable future.
4. Must not be installed on privately maintained roadways.
5. Must not be installed within the boundaries of a Parking Lot District (PLD).
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.48.01.03 (2026)
31.48.01.03 Establishment of a Residential Permit Parking AreaCopy Citation
A request to establish a residential permit parking area (RPPA) may be made by a Montgomery County resident or group of residents. The resident must be a homeowner or tenant on the Applicant Block for which they are requesting the residential permit restriction.
The request for the establishment of a RPPA must be in writing and include the following:
1. A clear statement of the time of day during which it is believed that the volume of non-local on-street parking is highest.
2. If multiple residents submit the request for one Applicant Block, a designated contact must be identified by name, address, telephone number and email address (if available). This resident will be the primary contact through which MCDOT will communicate.
3. A statement of support from requested area’s homeowner or civic association president or traffic committee representative. If no such community organization exists, the request must include a petition with at least 50% of the households on the Applicant Block signing in favor.
The request can be mailed, first class, postage prepaid to:
Chief, Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations
100 Edison Park Drive, 4th Floor
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878
The request can also be emailed to MCDOT at TrafficOps@montgomerycountymd.gov or faxed to 240-777-2080.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.48.01.04MCDOT (2026)
31.48.01.04MCDOT Requirements Necessary to Proceed to Public HearingCopy Citation
Upon receiving the written request from an Applicant Block, MCDOT staff will conduct an investigation of traffic conditions on the Applicant Block to determine if residential permit parking is warranted. As part of its investigation, MCDOT must determine that the following requirements have been satisfied before proceeding to a public hearing:
Inside of a Metro Impact Area
A statement of support or petition (as described in Section 31.48.01.03) will be the only requirement.
Outside of a Metro Impact Area
In the event that a parking restriction (e.g., two-hour parking, 7 AM - 7 PM, Monday - Friday) is already in place on the Applicant Block, a statement of support or a petition (as described in Section 31.48.01.03) is all that will be required. The existing non-permit parking restriction must be in place for at least one (1) year before residents can request the establishment of a RPPA.
Where parking restrictions have not already been installed, the following Curb Occupancy criteria as measured and evaluated by MCDOT must be satisfied for the Applicant Block:
1. When total Curb Occupancy exceeds 50%, at least 50% of the vehicles must be non-local.
2. When total Curb Occupancy exceeds 40%, at least 75% of the vehicles must be non-local.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.48.01.05Creation (2026)
31.48.01.05Creation or Modification of RPPA BoundariesCopy Citation
Creation of RPPA Boundaries
If the criteria in Section 31.48.01.04 are satisfied for the Applicant Block, MCDOT will draft a boundary for the potential RPPA to present at a public hearing. The proposed boundary may include more than the Applicant Block since on-street parking often migrates to adjacent Blocks after parking restrictions have been installed.
In cases where an Applicant Block is within an existing or future Metro Impact Area, MCDOT will determine if additional neighborhoods within the 4,000-foot radius should be included in a proposed RPPA. Since this could encompass a large area, MCDOT will use the criteria listed below to determine if multiple RPPAs should be proposed and presented at a public hearing.
The following criteria will be used by MCDOT staff when drafting the boundaries of the proposed RPPA(s).
1. Civic and homeowner association boundaries.
2. Natural boundaries such as parks and bodies of water.
3. Infrastructure boundaries such as major or arterial roads.
4. Walking distance from a public facility and existence of pedestrian amenities such as sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
When the Applicant Block consists of a multi-family dwelling or multi-family dwellings, the proposed boundary will only consist of the Block Face adjacent to the multi-family dwelling property or properties. RPPAs for multi-family dwellings must remain separate from RPPAs for single-family dwellings.
Modification of RPPA Boundaries
In lieu of creating a new RPPA, MCDOT may propose a modification to an existing RPPA if an Applicant Block has satisfied Sections 31.48.01.03 and 31.48.01.04. The determination of whether to modify an existing RPPA or create a new one will be made by the County Executive.
Residents may also request that the boundaries of an existing RPPA be modified to mitigate intra-commuting issues. All requests of this nature must follow the procedure outlined in Section 31.48.01.03 and meet curb occupancy criteria in Section 31.48.01.04.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.48.01.06 (2026)
31.48.01.06 Hearing ProcedureCopy Citation
Prior to the creation or modification of a RPPA, a public hearing must be held. Upon determination that an Applicant Block satisfies all criteria set by Sections 31.48.01.03 and 31.48.01.04, the following procedure must be followed by the MCDOT:
1. Notify applicant and the homeowner/civic association(s) of the MCDOT’s findings and proposed RPPA boundary.
2. Receive hearing fee established pursuant to Section 2-57A from the requesting party. MCDOT may waive the hearing fee if the petition for the Applicant Block represents that it is unable to afford the hearing fee due to indigency.
3. Schedule the required public hearing.
4. Advertise the public hearing in a general local circulation newspaper and on Montgomery County’s Official Web Site.
5. Post public hearing notice signs on site at least 30 days prior to the hearing date.
Following the public hearing, the Hearing Officer will submit a report and recommendation to the County Executive. The County Executive’s decision must be sent in writing to any interested person, including the applicant, and all persons who submitted written statements or comments before, during or after the public hearing or who spoke at the public hearing.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.48.01.07 (2026)
31.48.01.07 Procedure for Installing, Removing or Modifying Permit Parking RestrictionsCopy Citation
Following the approval of a RPPA, residents of Eligible Blocks may petition for the installation of residential permit parking restrictions. MCDOT will provide a petition form after a specific permit parking restriction has been selected by the residents and approved by MCDOT. For a permit parking restriction to be installed on a block, at least two-thirds of the households on that block must sign in favor of the restriction. Modification to a residential permit parking restriction on a Participant Block would follow the same procedure.
Residents of a Participant Block may request the removal of a residential permit parking restriction. MCDOT will provide a petition form on which a majority of the households (over 50% of the block) must sign in favor of having the permit parking restriction removed.
The signed and completed petition form(s) for the installation, modification or removal of residential permit parking restrictions must be returned to MCDOT not later than ninety (90) calendar days following their issuance. The request to install, modify or remove the residential permit parking restrictions will be terminated if the signed and completed petition form is not
Once a residential permit parking restriction has been installed for a Participant Block, that restriction will remain for at least one (1) year before MCDOT will consider a petition for its removal. A Participant Block that has petitioned to have a permit restriction removed may not petition for the reinstallation of a permit restriction for at least one (1) year from the date the restriction is removed. Residents may request that a restriction be modified at any time.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.48.01.08 (2026)
31.48.01.08 PermitsCopy Citation
Only residents of Participant Blocks are eligible to obtain Permits. Residents living within the boundaries of a RPPA on roadways where parking is prohibited for safety or operational reasons may obtain Permits following approval from MCDOT. Residents living within the boundary of a RPPA with an address on a privately maintained roadway are not eligible to purchase Permits.
Residents living within a Participant Block are not required to purchase Permits. The RPP Program is voluntary and residents may forgo the purchase of Permits if they believe them unnecessary. However, any vehicle parked on a Participant Block without a Permit during restricted hours is subject to ticketing.
Residents living within a Participant Block may register their vehicle(s) for Permits as follows:
1. Online through the MCDOT web page at any time;
2. Over the telephone during hours set by MCDOT; or
3. In person at one of the sales offices during standard business hours.
Permits become active immediately following registration. Prices for the various types of Permits are set by the Montgomery County Council.
A. Resident Permits
Each person residing at an address on a Participant Block is eligible to purchase a Permit for each vehicle they have registered to that address. These Permits are renewed annually. MCDOT utilizes Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) records to determine whether a vehicle is eligible for a Permit and therefore residents need only provide their vehicle(s) license plate number(s).
B. Permits for New Residents and Students and Military Personnel
For residents moving into a home on a Participant Block, a one-time 30-day temporary Permit may be obtained at no charge for all vehicles registered to the new home owner or tenant. A permanent Permit may be obtained upon the vehicle(s) being registered at the new address.
Students and military personnel who will be living at an eligible address temporarily and therefore will not be updating their vehicle registration may purchase Permits after submitting approved documentation electronically through the MCDOT web page or in person to a sales office. These Permits will be renewed annually.
C. Transferable Visitor Permits
Two (2) visitor Permits may be purchased per eligible address and are renewed annually. These Permits can be assigned to any number of vehicles (one vehicle at a time) for a variety of time periods.
D. Employee Permits
Residents operating an approved home-based business or residents with an in-home employee(s), such as a nanny or caretaker, may purchase up to two (2) transferable permits for their employees which must be renewed annually. Residents operating a home-based business must provide MCDOT with a copy of their certificate of registration. Residents with in-home employee(s) must provide MCDOT with the proper tax documentation.
E. Contract Work Permits
Up to five (5) Contract Work Permits may be purchased by a resident living at an eligible address. These Permits can last up to 6 months and are transferable. Any resident applying for Contract Work Permits must submit the proper documentation electronically through the MCDOT web page or at a sales office during standard business hours before a Permit(s) will be issued. Residents can reapply for these Permits for projects exceeding 6 months.
F. Temporary Medical Condition Permits
Up to three (3) temporary and transferable permits may be requested by a resident for situations where medical assistance is necessary for someone dwelling in their home. These permits can be used by family, friends and/or professional health caretakers in cases of temporary illness or when home health care services such as medical treatments, respite care, elder care or hospice care is necessary. A resident must provide MCDOT with documentation/confirmation indicating medical or health care services are needed prior to approval of these permits. Initially, these permits can be obtained at no charge and will last up to 3 months. If a resident requires these permits for longer than three months, additional documentation/confirmation must be provided to MCDOT to purchase these permits.
G. Temporary Visitor Permits
Temporary visitor Permits may be obtained upon request by residents at no charge. These Permits, which are subject to MCDOT approval, can last up to seven days from date of issue.
H. Exemptions
Non-resident commercial and/or service vehicles that are clearly marked are exempt from permit restrictions when conducting temporary activity within the area.
Public utility vehicles are exempt from permit restrictions when performing necessary work within the area.
I. Permit Abuse
Residents found registering vehicles for transferable visitor Permits or purchasing employee Permits for reasons other than their intended use may have their Permit purchasing privileges suspended for a time period determined by the MCDOT. Temporary Permits will also be unavailable to these residents during this time period.
J. Quebec Terrace RPPA
1. Within this 31.48.01.08, subsections A through G and subsection I shall have no applicability within the Quebec Terrace RPPA.
2. Only one (1) Permit may be issued for each residential address located within a Participant Block of the Quebec Terrace RPPA, irrespective of the number of vehicles registered to that address. The Permit holder must be a resident of the address for which the Permit is issued. A Permit must be renewed annually.

Sec. 31-62 Impounding or Immobilizing Vehicles After Enumerated Violations Generally - Regulations

COMCOR 31.62.01 Abandoned Vehicle Storage Fee

Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.62.01.01 (2026)
31.62.01.01 PurposeCopy Citation
The purpose of this regulation is to increase the storage fee from $10.00 to $15.00 per day for the impoundment of abandoned vehicles. The assessment of a storage fee is authorized per Sections 31-62(c), 31-63, and 31-65 of Chapter 31, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Montgomery County Code 1984, and Sections 25-204(b)(4) and C(I)(ii), of the Transportation Volume of the Annotated Code of Maryland 1977 (1984 Cum. Supp.)
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.62.01.02 (2026)
31.62.01.02 ApplicabilityCopy Citation
A storage fee of $15.00 per day applies when an abandoned vehicle is taken into custody and stored on property owned by or under the control of Montgomery County, Maryland. In addition to the charges by Montgomery County, owners of abandoned motor vehicles also may be liable to private contractors for storage before the vehicles were removed to Montgomery County storage facilities.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.62.01.03 (2026)
31.62.01.03 SeverabilityCopy Citation
If a court holds that part of this regulation is invalid, the invalidity does not affect other parts.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.62.01.04 (2026)
31.62.01.04 Effective DateCopy Citation
This regulation will become effective thirty (30) calendar days after the deadline for comments published in the Register.

Sec. 31-63 Sales of Abandoned, Etc., Vehicles - Procedure Generally - Regulations

Sec. 31-69 Residential Traffic Management Areas - Regulations

COMCOR 31.69.01 Through Traffic Volume Access Restrictions in Residential Areas

Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.69.01.01 (2026)
31.69.01.01 Purpose and ObjectivesCopy Citation
The objective of this regulation is to enhance neighborhood traffic safety and maintain "livable" residential environments by providing a procedure for reducing excessive volumes of through traffic. This policy provides a systematic and uniform approach to the decision making necessary to implement traffic access restrictions to discourage through traffic on residential streets.
Residential traffic volume management is desirable to ensure pedestrian and vehicular safety, prevent noise and air pollution, vibration, and pavement deterioration, and maintain visual tranquility. However, public policies must recognize that traffic volumes exist because those who live or work in the County depend on the mobility afforded by the automobile as a primary means of transportation. Every resident driving a vehicle in some other residential area outside his or her own neighborhood becomes a "cut-through driver" or a "commuter". One resident's use of the public roads for necessary travel to work, schools, shopping or the library may be perceived by another resident as an "excessive" traffic presence. This policy attempts to balance the needs of all impacted parties while maintaining the efficient and appropriate use of County streets.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.69.01.02 (2026)
31.69.01.02 DefinitionsCopy Citation
As used in this Executive Regulation, the following definitions apply:
Access restriction - a prohibition or barrier preventing full or directional entry into or through a particular street; a prohibition may be for specific times or at all times.
Arterial roadway - a road that serves to move traffic between major highways or other arterial roads providing a high level of traffic service and a moderate level of direct access to local development.
Director - The Director of the Department of Transportation.
Major highway - a roadway with limited or controlled access that carries high through traffic volumes between freeways, central business districts and other major traffic generators. Major highways provide a high level of traffic service and a low level of direct access to local development.
Management plan - that group of traffic controls, which may include signs, pavement markings, and physical devices or barriers, designed to reduce, divert or discourage non-local traffic in a particular neighborhood or on a particular neighborhood street.
Non-local traffic - those vehicles entering or exiting a neighborhood street and having a registration address further than 3/4 mile (4000 feet) straight line distance from any point on the street under evaluation; estimated by means of a license tag survey sample or other appropriate methods.
Operating speed (85th percentile) - that speed at which 85 percent of a measured sample of vehicles travels at or below; this is the most commonly used statistic to evaluate operating speeds on a particular roadway.
Primary residential street - a neighborhood street serving as a collector for local traffic from secondary and tertiary residential roadways, designed to feed traffic to arterial and major highways. Primary roadways provide a moderate level of traffic service and a high level of direct residential property access. A Master Plan primary street is a street so designated in a Master or Sector plan.
Secondary residential street - a neighborhood street providing a high level of direct residential access and a limited level of traffic service; not intended to provide for traffic traveling through the neighborhood.
Tertiary residential roadway - a neighborhood roadway with similar function to a secondary street but having a narrower right-of -way and typically ending in a cul-de-sac.
Through traffic - vehicular traffic entering or exiting a neighborhood without origin or destination in that neighborhood.
Traffic shed - that system of interconnected roadways within a neighborhood or portion of a residential community feeding into one or more arterials or major highways.
Traffic Volume Management area - that neighborhood or portion of a residential community which encompasses a natural traffic shed and whose residents may be required to use alternate access routes to or from their residences if a particular traffic access restriction was installed on one or more streets within its boundaries.
Volume - the number of vehicles that cross a specific point on a given section of roadway during a specified time period.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.69.01.03 (2026)
31.69.01.03 Application Process and Eligibility AnalysisCopy Citation
A. Application
A request for neighborhood through traffic volume restrictions may be made by a local citizens association which represents a significant number of residents or by a petition from 15 percent of the households in an area being proposed for traffic restrictions. The Department of Transportation ("the Department") will provide a standard application form for this purpose. Neighborhoods which had submitted written requests for volume restrictions prior to adoption of this Regulation will not be required to re-apply.
B. Eligibility
The Department must assess the area described in the application and adjust boundaries as appropriate to delimit the traffic shed. Once the Department defines this initial proposed traffic volume management area, the Department must conduct an eligibility analysis. Eligibility of one or more streets in a residential area for volume restrictions must be based on satisfying criteria for:
• street classification;
• measured traffic volumes; and
• estimated non-local traffic.
1. Street Classification
Only tertiary, secondary and primary residential streets are eligible for volume restriction measures.
2. Traffic Volume
The Department must utilize traffic counts to determine traffic volume levels on those streets and during those time periods of concern as described in the residents, application. Counts conducted previously and on file may be used if, in the Department's judgement, they reasonably accurately depict current conditions. Otherwise, new counts must be performed. The counts must show that on at least one street in the proposed traffic volume management area for at least one hour of a weekday peak period or other, "off-peak" time period, the following two-directional volumes are met:
• 400 vehicles per hour on a Master Plan primary street that operates with two unobstructed travel lanes, one for each direction of travel; or
• 250 vehicles per hour on a residential street, not designated as primary in the Master Plan, that based on width and parking characteristics, operates with two unobstructed travel lanes, one for each direction of travel; or
• 100 vehicles per hour on any residential street that based on width and parking characteristics, operates with only one unobstructed lane for travel in both directions.
3. Non-local Traffic
Non-local traffic must exceed 50 percent of the highest hourly volume. Non local traffic volume may be estimated by means of a license tag survey sample or by other appropriate methods.
If the Department determines that a street under consideration does not meet the eligibility criteria, the applicant must be so informed. An ineligible street(s) must not be re-evaluated again for at least three years, unless a significant change occurs in land use, traffic patterns or other conditions that would significantly change the eligibility analysis results.
The Director may waive the Traffic Volume and Non-local Traffic criteria when special circumstances require through traffic volume access restrictions to achieve specific traffic safety or planning objectives.
C. Prioritization
The Department must prioritize all applications that it determined are eligible for further consideration. The initial prioritization, for all eligible applications that had been submitted prior to adoption of this Regulation, must be conducted as soon as possible after the Department completes the eligibility analyses. Thereafter, prioritization must be conducted semi-annually, in February and August of each year.
Priorities must be based on point scores assigned to the street which met the eligibility criteria. The Department must select those applications with the highest point scores to move on to the project development phase. The number of projects selected must be based on available staff and fiscal resources. In cases where more than one street in the proposed traffic volume management area met the eligibility criteria, all eligible streets will be assigned point scores, but only that street with the highest score will be used to prioritize the application.
Points must be assigned for each eligible street as follows:
Volume - 10 points for each 10 percent that traffic volumes are above the minimum criteria.
Non-local Traffic - 20 points for each 10 percent that non-local, traffic percentages are above the minimum criteria.
Speed - 2 points for every 1 MPH that the operating speed (85th percentile) is above the speed limit.
Pedestrian Activity and Facilities - 10 points if there are no sidewalks on the street; 5 points if there are sidewalks on only one side or discontinuous sidewalks; 5 points for each major pedestrian generator on the street (e.g. school, playground, park); 5 points if the street is a designated on-road bike route; 1 point for each school or transit bus stop.
Parking/Driveway - 10 points for dense on-street parking or very closely spaced driveways; 5 points for moderate on-street parking or relatively closely spaced driveways.
Visibility restrictions - for restrictions caused by road configuration, natural features, unremovable foliage, etc. -- 10 points for many restrictions; 5 points for moderate levels.
Accidents - 2 points for each reported property damage only accident (including reports to police or by resident affidavit) and 5 points for each documented injury accident, over a three year period.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.69.01.04 (2026)
31.69.01.04 Project DevelopmentCopy Citation
A. Preliminary Plan
On the basis of the data collected and analysis performed to determine eligibility and priorities, the applicant and the Department must develop a preliminary Through Traffic Volume Management Plan. Fire and Rescue Services must be consulted as appropriate in the development of the plan.
The goal of the plan must be to address both the concerns of the neighborhood and the prevailing traffic conditions, by implementing the least restrictive traffic control measures and by implementing appropriate pedestrian safety improvements. This may result in a plan that does not include traffic controls which directly restrict or prohibit access into or through a neighborhood. Only plans that include traffic controls which directly restrict or prohibit access into or through a neighborhood are subject to the processes subsequently prescribed in this Regulation. These traffic controls include signs or physical barriers that establish turn or entry restrictions, one-way residential streets, or mandatory turns. Speed restraint devices such as speed humps or small traffic circles and pedestrian safety improvements such as crosswalks or sidewalks are addressed under separate processes established by the Department.
The complete physical closure of a street is not authorized by this regulation, but rather must follow the requirements contained in the Montgomery County Code, Section 49, Article V, "Abandonment and Closing of Roads and Drainage Right-of-Way". The Director may determine that some plans which do not include proposed access restrictions, nevertheless present significant issues related to traffic diversion potential and must undergo the processes subsequently prescribed in this Regulation.
It is the Department's responsibility to evaluate impacts of the proposed plan and to ensure that the plan reflects the governing law(s) and the application of sound public policy. Accordingly, the Department’s initial development and assessment of a proposed Through Traffic Volume Access Restriction Plan must consider the following factors:
1. Impact on surrounding residential communities - The impact on other streets of residential character to which traffic may be diverted as a result of traffic restrictions sought by the applicant must be evaluated, based on the particular characteristics of those roads, including but not limited to the same factors used in the eligibility and prioritization processes in 31.69.01.02 and 31.69.01.03 above. The Department must not recommend a plan that would result in excessive through traffic in other residential areas on primary, secondary or tertiary streets.
2. Impact on surrounding arterial/major road network - The ability of the surrounding road network and nearby signalized intersections to safely and efficiently accommodate the diverted traffic must be evaluated. Although impacts on the surrounding arterial and major road network will be assessed, traffic volume increases alone must not automatically preclude consideration of a Through Traffic Volume Access Restriction Plan.
3. Impact on public facilities and other community destination - The Department must evaluate whether there would be an adverse impact on access to a public facility, such as
a school, park, or library, or other significant community destinations such as a church, shopping center, or other business area.
4. Compatibility with master/sector Plan - The Department, in consultation with Planning Board staff, must evaluate whether the proposed plan complies with approved and adopted master plans. Any "Planning Board Draft" master plan for the area must also be considered.
B. Community Discussion Paper
The Department must report its preliminary assessment in a "Community Discussion Paper", which must include:
1. a copy of the applicant's request;
2. a summary of the eligibility and point score;
3. a description of the preliminary through traffic volume restriction plan, and;
4. the impact analysis conducted by the Department
This document will serve as the basis for the discussions with residents and other potentially impacted parties in the community assessment phase.
C. Community Assessment
The main objective of the community assessment is to ensure public disclosure and access to information. The Department and the applicants must identify parties, e.g. citizens associations, organizations, municipalities, local chambers of commerce, schools, hospitals, businesses, parks, and other community facilities and organizations potentially impacted by proposed through-traffic volume access restrictions.
The steps in the community assessment process are:
1. Public Notification - The Department must disseminate notices and the Community Discussion Paper to potentially impacted parties including nearby Citizens Associations registered with the Planning Board for a 30-day public notification period. Signs announcing the specific access restrictions under consideration, with a telephone number to call for information, must be posted for the same 30-day period. A copy of the notice must be sent to the County Public Information Office.
2. Working Groups and/or Meetings - The Department must seek advice on the proposed plan from affected residents and other interested parties through regular open meetings of informal working groups or other reasonable means.
3. Advisory Committee - In cases where the proposed plan affects a significant number of varying interest groups, is very complex or is anticipated to cause significant community impacts, the Department may recommend creation of an Advisory Committee, consisting of from five to nine members, to assist in developing a final plan. The Department must recommend to the County Executive candidates for appointment and confirmation by the County Council. When possible, the task force members must be fairly balanced between the applicants and the surrounding or general community.
D. Final Plan
Within 60 days after the close of the notification period (or 60 days after confirmation of an Advisory Committee), the Director must recommend a final plan and the boundaries of the area in which it would be implemented. The Director also must recommend whether the plan should be implemented as a test project or permanent project, and must develop a set of criteria by which the success or failure of a test project will be measured if it is recommended as a test project.
E. Public Hearing
Within 60 days after the Director recommends a final plan, the Executive or a designee must hold an evening public hearing to present the proposed plan and receive public testimony. Notice of the hearing must be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the County with the last publication at least 15 days before the hearing. The notice must specify the boundaries of the proposed area, describe the proposed plan, and tell where to obtain more information. A sign giving notice of the hearing must be posted prominently in the area. A notice of the hearing must also be sent to all the parties contacted under the initial public notification step. The hearing record must be held open up to 30 days.
The Executive must issue a statement of decision within 30 days after the hearing record closes. A copy of the Executive's decision must be mailed to the previously contacted parties, the applicants, and all persons who submitted written comments or spoke at the public hearing.
In considering whether to approve a proposed access restriction plan, the Executive must consider the factors listed in Section 31-69(f) of the County Code.
Approval of a proposed access restriction plan by the Executive must be based on a judgment that the benefits of the plan to residents of the specific neighborhood or streets covered by the plan outweigh the potential impacts to the surrounding community, arterial/major road network, and public facilities or other destinations. On the basis of the information received during the hearing process, the Executive may revise the plan. The Executive's decision must specify the boundaries of the area where the plan will be implemented, and whether the plan will be initially implemented as a test installation or permanent installation.
F. Implementation Petition
Before final approval of an access restriction plan by the Executive as a Method 3 regulation, the Department must ask the applicants to collect a petition for implementation from residents in the area approved by the Executive. A signature on the petition by a simple majority of households (one adult resident signature per dwelling unit) within the area must be received to adopt the plan.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.69.01.05 (2026)
31.69.01.05 ImplementationCopy Citation
A. Test Installations
The Department must implement test installations within 60 days (weather permitting) after receipt of the required implementation petition. Within three to 12 months after a test installation, the Department must evaluate the plan's performance using the criteria established by the Director. The Director will decide whether to retain the plan on a permanent basis. If the decision is negative, the test installation must be removed. If the decision is positive, notice that the test was deemed successful and that the installation will remain or be constructed in permanent form, will be posted for 30 days (following the same posting procedure as specified in 31.69.01.04C.1).
B. Permanent installations
The Department must implement a permanent plan as soon as practicable after receipt of the required implementation petition or a decision to make a test installation permanent. Plans requiring only passive traffic control devices (e.g. signs and markings) must be implemented within 60 days, weather permitting. Plans requiring physical devices (e.g. construction) must be placed on the capital improvement program schedule, dependant on funding availability.
If within 90 days after a permanent installation, significant unanticipated problems develop as a result of the installation, or at any time if documented safety problems develop, the Department may suspend the plan and re-open the process. Public notification will follow the same procedure specified in 31.69.01.04.C.1.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 31.69.01.06 (2026)
31.69.01.06 ReassessmentCopy Citation
Not earlier than three years after installation of traffic control devices, the Department may decide to reassess a through traffic volume access restriction plan that was installed either before or after this regulation became effective. Upon receiving:
1. a petition for removal or major alteration of access restrictions signed by at least 35% of the households (one adult signature per dwelling unit) in the Traffic Volume Management Area (see Definitions) as implemented; or
2. a petition from at least 35% of the directly impacted households as defined by the Department (one adult signature per dwelling unit) in an adjacent residential neighborhood within a distance of 3/4 mile from the access restrictions, explaining why traffic restrictions are no longer required due to changed conditions, or why the restrictions are causing undue burdens or significant safety problems which were not considered in the original decision to implement the plan.
he Department must hold a public hearing. After the public hearing, the Department must decide whether to retain the plan or re-assess the plan. If the Department decides to reassess, the Department must conduct a new traffic study and prepare a Community Discussion Paper evaluating the alternatives and their impacts. The project development: process as specified under 31.69.01.04 C, D, E must be followed.
After completion of a reassessment process, further requests for reassessment of an access restriction must not be considered until an additional three years has elapsed.