§ 26–301
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 26-301 (2026)
Title 26. Vehicle Laws -- Parties and Procedure on Citation, Arrest, Trial, and Appeal
Subtitle 3. Parking Ordinances and Regulations
§ 26–301LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle, “officer” means a police officer or a person other than a police officer who is authorized to issue a citation for a violation of an ordinance or regulation that is adopted under this section.
(b)
Subject to subsection (c) of this section, any State agency authorized by law and any political subdivision of this State may adopt ordinances or regulations that:
(1)
Regulate the parking of vehicles;
(2)
Provide for the impounding of vehicles parked in violation of the ordinances or regulations;
(3)
Regulate the towing of vehicles from publicly owned and privately owned parking lots;
(4)
Provide for the issuance of a citation by an officer for a violation of an ordinance or regulation that is adopted under this section; and
(5)
Authorize an employee or agent of the State agency or political subdivision to take possession of any registration plate described in § 12–110(a)(2) of this article that is being displayed by a parked vehicle.
(b–1)
(1)
In addition to any other penalty provided for in the Maryland Vehicle Law, if the Administration has reasonable cause to believe that a motor vehicle owner is a resident of the State and has failed to properly register the motor vehicle with the Administration and display valid registration plates issued by the Administration on the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle owner is subject to a warning requiring the motor vehicle owner, within 60 days after issuance of the warning, to:
(i)
Properly register the motor vehicle with the Administration and display valid registration plates issued by the Administration on the motor vehicle; or
(ii)
Provide proof acceptable to the Administration that the motor vehicle is not required to be registered in the State.
(2)
(i)
If the motor vehicle owner provides proof acceptable to the Administration that the motor vehicle is not required to be registered in the State, if applicable as determined by the Administration, the motor vehicle owner shall obtain and display on the motor vehicle a nonresident permit issued by the Administration.
(ii)
If the motor vehicle owner fails, within 60 days after issuance of a warning under this subsection, to properly register the motor vehicle and display valid registration plates on the motor vehicle or provide proof acceptable to the Administration that registration in the State is not required, the Administration shall begin to assess a civil fine against the motor vehicle of $7 per day for up to 60 days or until the motor vehicle is properly registered and displaying valid registration plates or the Administration determines that the motor vehicle is not subject to registration in the State, whichever occurs first.
(3)
(i)
The Administration shall notify the appropriate local jurisdiction if a motor vehicle owner fails, within 120 days after issuance of a warning under this subsection, to properly register the motor vehicle and display valid registration plates on the motor vehicle or satisfy the Administration that the motor vehicle is not subject to registration in the State.
(ii)
The appropriate county attorney may bring a civil action in rem against a motor vehicle for which the motor vehicle owner fails under this subsection to properly register and display valid registration plates or to satisfy the Administration that the motor vehicle is not subject to registration in the State.
(iii)
In a civil action in rem brought under this subsection, the appropriate county attorney may seek immobilization of the motor vehicle by towing or removal and impoundment or by booting.
(c)
A political subdivision may not adopt or enforce an ordinance or regulation that prohibits the parking of more than one motorcycle within a space served by a single parking meter.
(d)
(1)
In this subsection, “rental vehicle” means a vehicle that is rented or leased for a period not exceeding 180 days.
(2)
If a parking citation is issued for a rental vehicle, the owner is not liable for any penalty in excess of the original fine for a parking violation unless the owner fails to pay the fine or file a notice of intention to stand trial for the violation within the time specified in a notice of the infraction mailed to the business address of the owner.
(3)
If a political subdivision or State agency receives payment for a parking violation from both the owner of the vehicle and the person who had possession of the rental vehicle at the time the parking citation was issued, the political subdivision or State agency shall reimburse the owner of the vehicle for the amount paid by the owner for the violation.
(e)
Any State agency authorized by law and any political subdivision of the State may establish public outreach efforts to educate law enforcement officers, businesses, medical practitioners, and the general public as to parking laws and regulations, including:
(1)
The authority of law enforcement officers to enter private parking lots used by the public; and
(2)
Specific eligibility criteria for, and requirements for the lawful use of, special registration plates and placards issued under Title 13, Subtitle 6 of this article for individuals with disabilities.