(formerly § 57-3) DISCHARGE OF GUNS IN THE URBAN AREA - REGULATIONS
COMCOR 57-4
Chapter 57. Weapons - Regulations
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 57.04.01.01 (2026)
57.04.01.01 PurposeLinkCopy Citation
Procedure to allow the discharge of a firearm within the urban area under a deer management permit issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and approved by the Chief of Police and to establish rules for deer hunting on private property at least 50 acres in size.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 57.04.01.02 (2026)
57.04.01.02 ProceduresLinkCopy Citation
(a)
An applicant for a deer management permit inside the urban area must contact the Montgomery County Police Department’s (MCPD) police district serving the area in which the requestor’s site is located within 24 hours of submitting the application to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). An MCPD executive officer (lieutenant or above) will contact DNR as soon as practical but no more than 24 hours after receiving such notification to arrange to meet at the location where the permit has been requested.
The MCPD executive officer will meet the DNR agent at the location where the permit has been requested to jointly inspect the location to resolve any issues or questions. If the MCPD executive officer and DNR agent cannot meet at a mutually convenient time, the MCPD executive officer must contact the applicant to arrange to inspect the location within three (3) calendar days of the issuance of the permit. The DNR agent will have the sole responsibility for determining the need for the issuance of the deer management permit. The MCPD executive officer will inspect the site from the standpoint of safety issues, including, but not limited to, the location’s proximity to occupied buildings and/or roadways, whether the location provides for downward trajectory, and any other considerations that may necessitate restricting the use of a firearm to carry out the stated purpose of the deer management permit.
If the DNR agent determines that a deer management permit is to be issued, the MCPD executive officer will request a copy of the completed permit from the DNR agent or the applicant. The MCPD executive officer will then complete an MCP Form #590, Addendum to DNR Deer Damage Control Permit, listing all restrictions with which the permit holder must comply. The MCPD executive officer will forward the deer management permit and addendum along with a memorandum outlining the reasons for any restrictions to the Chief of Police for review and signature within three (3) calendar days.
After reviewing the documentation submitted for the deer management permit from both the DNR and MCPD executive officer, the Chief of Police will either approve or disapprove the request, sign and date the MCP Form #590. After signing, the originals of the MCP Form #590 and the deer management permit will be returned to the person requesting the permit by U.S. mail within four calendar days. The remaining two copies of the forms will be forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources for their records. The Department of Police will maintain its files.
(b)
Whenever deer hunting is to occur on private property of at least 50 acres in size during hunting season, the property owner(s) must, at least 15 days before any weapon is discharged, post the perimeter of the property and, where applicable, at each road entrance to the property, with signs that:
(1)
are placed where the signs may reasonably be seen by passersby or from any adjacent roadway or public waterway;
(2)
are posted at least every 100 yards along the perimeter of the property;
(3)
are at least 12 inches wide by 17 inches high;
(4)
have black lettering on a yellow background;
(5)
that include the following warning: “CAUTION: Firearms in use for deer hunting on this property from (date) to (date). No Trespassing.”
(c)
Whenever deer hunting is to occur on private property within the urban area pursuant to a deer management permit, the property owner must follow the requirements in subsection (b) except that the owner must post the required warning signs at least two days before any weapon is discharged.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 57.04.01.03 (2026)
57.04.01.03 ApplicabilityLinkCopy Citation
Any person within an urban area whose livelihood is threatened by property damage caused by deer may apply for a deer management permit, except that no permit is necessary on land at least 50 acres in size during hunting season.
Montgomery County, Md., COMCOR § 57.04.01.04 (2026)
57.04.01.04 SeverabilityLinkCopy Citation
If a court holds that part of this regulation is invalid, the invalidity does not affect other parts.