Division 1. Administrative Provisions
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Division 1. Administrative Provisions
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 26-101 (2026)
Sec. 26-101. DefinitionsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
For the purposes of this Subtitle, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them hereunder:
(1)
Bicycle means a vehicle that is designed to be operated by human power or with assistance of a motor that has a capacity of less than 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement or rated less than one brake horsepower, that has two or three wheels of which one is more than 14 inches in diameter, that have a rear drive, and with wheel configuration as follows:
(A)
Two wheels — in tandem;
(B)
Three wheels — single front wheel with two rear wheels on a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the front wheel and spaced equidistant from the front wheel centerline;
(C)
For the purposes of this Subtitle, a two or three wheeled vehicle operated by human power and not defined as a bicycle herein shall be considered a "play vehicle."
(1.1)
Bike Lane shall mean any portion of a roadway or shoulder designated for single directional bicycle flow and that has been designated for preferential or exclusive use by bicyclists.
(1.2)
Bikeway shall mean any trail, path, part of a roadway, surfaced or smooth shoulder or any other travel way that in some manner is designated for bicycle travel. It may be designated for the exclusive use of bicycles, or it may be shared with other transportation modes.
(2)
Board of Education means the Prince George's County Board of Education or the Board's duly authorized agent.
(3)
Chief of Police means the Prince George's County Chief of Police or his duly authorized agent.
(4)
Commercial bus means a vehicle designed to carry more than ten passengers and which is used to carry people for compensation in furtherance of a commercial, for-profit purpose. This shall not include a van-pool operation as described in the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
(5)
Commercial Trailer means every trailer or semitrailer designed and used for carrying freight or merchandise and every trailer or semitrailer used for carrying freight or merchandise in the furtherance of any commercial enterprise.
(6)
County means Prince George's County, Maryland.
(7)
Director means the Director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation, his duly authorized agent, the Executive Director of the Prince George's Revenue Authority, for the limited purpose of designation, operation and enforcement of parking permit areas in Division 9 of this Subtitle or the Director of Central Services, for the limited purpose of developing and implementing a reserved and metered parking program for employee and visitor parking lots or structures at county government facilities.
(8)
Heavy Commercial Truck trucks that have a gross weight of over 10,000 pounds according to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
(9)
Light Commercial Vehicles includes pickups, panel trucks, and work vans up to and including those of a 3/4-ton capacity and Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration registration restricting vehicles to 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
(10)
Loading Zone means space reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or property.
(11)
Minibike means a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels, that is not registered for use on the public highways. This definition does not include tractors.
(12)
Operate a Bicycle means to propel a bicycle by human power or to walk or stand with or otherwise be in control of a bicycle incidental to its propulsion, but does not include the carrying or transporting of a bicycle, without any passenger or rider thereupon, in any vehicle or carton or by any other similar means.
(13)
Passenger Loading Zone means a place reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles while receiving or discharging passengers.
(14)
Public Agency is the Prince George's County Government or the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
(15)
Public Bicycle Area means any highway, street, sidewalk, bicycle path, or other facility or area maintained by the State or designated, established, or maintained by the County pursuant to this Subtitle for the exclusive or nonexclusive use of bicycles.
(16)
Public Parking Facility means those properties in Prince George's County owned or leased by Prince George's County and designated for public parking; and those properties in Prince George's County owned or leased and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority or the Revenue Authority and designated for public parking.
(17)
Recorded Images means:
(A)
Images recorded by a traffic control signal monitoring system on two or more photographs, microphotographs, electronic images, a videotape, or any other medium which shows the rear of a motor vehicle clearly identifying the registration plate number on the motor vehicle on at least one image or on a portion of tape; or
(B)
Images recorded by a speed monitoring system on a photograph, a microphotograph, an electronic image, a videotape, or any other medium which shows the rear of the motor vehicle, at least two time-stamped images of the motor vehicle that include the same stationary object near the motor vehicle, and on at least one image or portion of tape, a clear and legible identification of the entire registration plate number of the motor vehicle.
(C)
Images recorded by a school bus monitoring camera on two or more photographs, microphotographs, electronic images, a videotape, or any other medium and on at least one image, photograph, microphotograph, electronic image, videotape, or any other medium, which shows the motor vehicle, clearly identifying at least one of the registration plates of the motor vehicle.
(18)
Revenue Authority means the Revenue Authority of Prince George's County.
(18.1)
School Bus Monitoring Camera means a camera placed on a school bus that is designed to capture a recorded image of a motor vehicle passing a stopped school bus operating alternately flashing red lights on a roadway.
(19)
Speed Monitoring System means a device with one or more motor vehicle sensors producing recorded images of motor vehicles traveling at speeds at least 12 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.
(20)
State means the State of Maryland.
(21)
Traffic Control Signal Monitoring System means a device with one or more motor vehicle sensors working in conjunction with a traffic control signal to produce recorded images of motor vehicles entering into an intersection against a red signal indication.
(22)
Unpaved Area of a Residential Lot means, in any yard of a lot with one or more dwellings, an area not covered by asphalt, brick, block, concrete, or other structural material able to hold the weight of a vehicle, but does not include the uncovered area of a driveway with paved tracks for vehicle wheels.
(23)
Vehicle means any automobile, trailer, or other vehicle of a type required to be registered with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
(24)
Watercraft means any vehicle or device which may transport a person on water and shall be identified as, but not limited to:
(A)
Bass Boats;
(B)
Fishing Boats;
(C)
Cabin Cruisers;
(D)
Inflatable Boats;
(E)
Pontoon Boats;
(F)
Deck Boats;
(G)
Runabouts;
(H)
Dinghies;
(I)
Any other personally or corporately owned and operated vehicle designed to traverse water; and
(J)
Any vehicle designed to traverse water that is parked on a trailer displaying valid registration, invalid registration, or no registration.
(b)
Whenever any words and phrases used herein are not defined herein but are defined in the State laws regulating the operation of vehicles, any such definition therein shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used herein, except when the context otherwise requires.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 26-102 (2026)
Sec. 26-102. Delegation of authority to Director of Public Works and TransportationLinkCopy Citation
The Director shall determine the installation and proper timing and maintenance of traffic control devices; conduct engineering analysis of traffic accidents and devise remedial measures; conduct engineering investigation of traffic conditions; plan the operation of traffic on the streets and highways under the jurisdiction of this County; make recommendations to the Council for the improvement of traffic conditions in the County which cannot be accomplished by the directives, orders, rules or regulations promulgated by the Director; and cooperate with the County Police Department in the development of ways and means to improve traffic conditions and cooperate in carrying out the additional powers and duties imposed by ordinances of this County and State.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 26-103 (2026)
Sec. 26-103. Emergency and experimental regulationsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Chief of Police by and with the approval of the Director is hereby empowered to make and enforce temporary or experimental regulations to cover emergencies or special conditions. No such temporary or experimental regulation shall remain in effect for more than ten (10) days.
(b)
The Chief of Police may authorize the temporary placing of official traffic control devices when required by an emergency. The Chief of Police shall notify the Director of his action as soon thereafter as is practicable.
(c)
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to pass and adopt reasonable rules and regulations governing parking, traffic and the movement of vehicles in the vicinity of any fair, game, parade, or other public event where a large gathering of people or vehicles is anticipated.
(d)
The Director may test traffic control devices under actual conditions of traffic.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 26-104 (2026)
Sec. 26-104. Enforcement and obedience to traffic regulationsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Authority of Police.
(1)
It shall be the duty of the officers of the Police Department, cadets, or such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police to enforce all street traffic laws of this County.
(2)
Officers of the Police Department, cadets, crossing guards, or such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand or signal in conformance with traffic laws, provided that, in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers, cadets, or crossing guards of the Police Department may direct traffic as conditions may require notwithstanding the provisions of the traffic laws. Any person who shall violate or disobey any lawful order or direction of any police officer, cadet, or crossing guard, or other such officers as assigned by the Chief shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 26-104.01 (2026)
Sec. 26-104.01. Motor racing, drag racing, or car takeovers; prohibitedLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Definitions. In this section, the following words mean:
(1)
Highway means the entire width between the boundary lines of any way or thoroughfare of which any part is used by the public for vehicular travel, whether or not the way or thoroughfare has been dedicated to the public and accepted by any proper authority.
(2)
Private Property means property owned by a private entity that is open to or used by members of the public generally, whether or not a fee is charged, including things such as parking lots serving industries like retail, commercial, entertainment, or other such uses.
(3)
Unlawful Race or Speed Contest means any race, speed contest, acceleration contest, or competitive exhibition of speed or acceleration involving one or more motor vehicles.
(4)
Stunt Driving means any motor vehicle performing or engaging in burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, or wheelies, or allowing a passenger to ride either partially or fully outside the vehicle while operating that vehicle.
(5)
Car Takeover means a coordinated gathering of motor vehicles and persons that results in the intentional disruption of public vehicle movement or public safety within the County, such as vehicles performing burnouts, drifting, spinning, donuts, acceleration exhibitions, or other similar maneuvers that create a substantial risk of injury. This includes motor vehicles such as ATVs, dirt bikes, or motorcycles on any county highway or private property without the owner's consent.
(6)
Exhibition Driving means the operation of a vehicle in a manner that results in one or more of the following:
(A)
the excessive, abrupt acceleration or deceleration of the motor vehicle;
(B)
the skidding, squealing, burning, or smoking of the tires of the motor vehicle;
(C)
the swerving or swaying of the motor vehicle from side to side while skidding;
(D)
the engine of the motor vehicle producing an unreasonably loud, raucous, or disturbing noise;
(E)
the grinding of the gears of the motor vehicle or the backfiring of the engine of the motor vehicle;
(F)
transportation of a passenger on or in the area of a motor vehicle that is not designed or intended for passenger transport, such as the hood or roof.
(7)
Lawful Order to Disperse means an order issued by a law enforcement officer directing people to leave a defined area because the officer has reasonable grounds to believe an unlawful race or a car takeover is occurring or about to occur.
(8)
Participant means any person, in or outside a vehicle, who purposefully slows, stops, or impedes, or attempts to slow, stop or impede, the movement of traffic, including pedestrian traffic, for the purpose of a speed contest, stunt driving, exhibition driving, or car takeover. This shall also include any person who aids, abets, promotes, organizes, or attends a speed contest, stunt driving, exhibition driving, or car takeover.
(9)
Motor Vehicle means a vehicle that is self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead electrical wires and is not operated on rails.
(A)
For the purposes of this statute, such vehicles shall also include off-road vehicles, including but are not limited to:
(i)
two or four-wheel vehicles or ATVs;
(iii)
any other means of land transportation deriving motor power from any source other than muscle or wind.
(b)
Prohibited Conduct.
(1)
Except as authorized under section 5-185, no person may engage in an unlawful race, stunt driving, exhibition driving, speed contest, or car takeover on any highway or private property.
(2)
Except as authorized under section 5-185, no person may participate as a timekeeper, flagger, participant, or starter in an unlawful race, speed contest, or car takeover on any highway or private property.
(3)
Whenever a person is arrested or issued a citation for a violation of this section, the issuing or arresting law enforcement agency may impound the vehicle used in the offense.
(A)
A vehicle impounded pursuant to this section shall not be released unless all of the following conditions are met:
(i)
the claimant presents a valid driver's license or other photo identification, proof of ownership or lawful authority to operate the motor vehicle, and proof of valid motor vehicle insurance for that vehicle. if the vehicle will be driven out of impoundment, the claimant must have a valid driver's license.
(ii)
any other conditions for release established by the law-enforcement agency have been met.
(iii)
all reasonable towing and storage fees connected to the vehicle have been paid. The County and the arresting law-enforcement agency shall not be liable for any expenses incurred in connection with the towing and storage of said vehicle.
(c)
Penalties.
(1)
A person found in violation of section 26-104.01(b) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to imprisonment not to exceed sixty (60) days and up to a one thousand ($1,000) dollar fine.
(2)
A person found in violation of section 26-104.01(b) that results in serious bodily injury to another person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to imprisonment not to exceed twelve (12) months and up to a one thousand ($1000) dollar fine.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 26-104.02 (2026)
Sec. 26-104.02. Attendance at motor racing, drag racing, or car takeovers; prohibitedLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Definitions. In this section, the definitions prescribed in Section 26-104.01 shall have the same meaning.
(b)
Prohibited Conduct.
(1)
Except as authorized under section 5-185, no person shall attend an unlawful race, speed contest, car takeover, exhibition driving event, or stunt driving event.
(2)
Except as authorized under section 5-185, no person shall organize an unlawful race, speed contest, car takeover, exhibition driving event, or stunt driving event.
(3)
No person shall knowingly remain in a defined area after a lawful order to disperse has been issued by a law enforcement official.
(c)
Penalties.
(1)
A person found in violation of section 26-104.02(b) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to:
(A)
imprisonment not to exceed sixty (60) days and up to a one thousand ($1,000) dollar fine for a first offense.
(B)
imprisonment not to exceed sixty (60) days and up to a two thousand ($2,000) dollar fine for a second offense.
(C)
imprisonment not to exceed sixty (60) days and up to a three thousand ($3,000) dollar fine for a third offense.