# COMAR Title 11 — Department of Transportation

## Subtitle 04 — State Highway Administration

### Chapter 07 — Control and Use of Rest Areas

**Authority:** Transportation Article, §§2-103(b)(2), 8-202(b)(2)(i), 8-203(a), and 8-204(b), (c), (h), and(i), Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: February 4, 1976 (3:3 Md. R. 153)

**Administrative History:** Chapter recodified from COMAR 11.04.11 to 11.04.07

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective December 18, 1995 (22:25 Md. R. 1963)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective December 18, 1995 (22:25 Md. R. 1963)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended effective December 18, 1995 (22:25 Md. R. 1963)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06A amended effective January 25, 2010 (37:2 Md. R. 68)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .09 amended effective January 25, 2010 (37:2 Md. R. 68)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .10 amended effective January 25, 2010 (37:2 Md. R. 68)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .12 amended effective January 25, 2010 (37:2 Md. R. 68)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .13 amended effective January 25, 2010 (37:2 Md. R. 68)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .16 amended effective January 25, 2010 (37:2 Md. R. 68)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .18 amended effective January 25, 2010 (37:2 Md. R. 68)

#### Regulation .01 Application.

*COMAR 11.04.07.01*

These regulations apply to all welcome centers, rest areas, scenic overlooks, roadside picnic areas, and other public use areas within interstate and State highway rights-of-way, and shall be posted on the bulletin board of each public use area.

#### Regulation .02 Signing of Register.

*COMAR 11.04.07.02*

All visitors to welcome centers are asked to sign the register.

#### Regulation .03 Parking.

*COMAR 11.04.07.03*

Parking is permitted only in designated areas.

#### Regulation .04 Litter.

*COMAR 11.04.07.04*

A. Picnic and travel litter may be disposed of only in the containers provided for that purpose.

B. Visitors are asked to use recycling containers where provided.

C. Litter, trash, or garbage from other sources may not be disposed of in rest area containers.

#### Regulation .05 Fires.

*COMAR 11.04.07.05*

Fires are permitted only in designated areas and containers. The visitor shall extinguish all fires before leaving. Brush and forest fires must be prevented. Visitors shall extinguish totally all cigars, cigarettes, and matches.

#### Regulation .06 Pets.

*COMAR 11.04.07.06*

A. Pets shall be on leashes at all times. Except for service animals used by people with disabilities, pets are not permitted in buildings.

B. Water outlets may not be used to bathe pets.

#### Regulation .07 Length of Time for Use.

*COMAR 11.04.07.07*

Visitors may not use an area for more than 3 hours without a permit from the caretaker or the Maryland State Police.

#### Regulation .08 Commercial Vehicles.

*COMAR 11.04.07.08*

Commercial vehicles may not use the areas for interchanging, loading, unloading, servicing, or other commercial activities.

#### Regulation .09 Unattended Vehicles.

*COMAR 11.04.07.09*

Vehicles left unattended for more than 3 hours, without permission of the Maryland State Police or the caretaker, will be towed away at the expense and risk of the owner.

#### Regulation .10 Alcoholic Beverages.

*COMAR 11.04.07.10*

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

#### Regulation .11 Camping and Overnight Parking.

*COMAR 11.04.07.11*

Camping and overnight parking are prohibited.

#### Regulation .12 Firearms and Fireworks.

*COMAR 11.04.07.12*

The display or discharge of firearms, pellet guns, B-B guns, and fireworks of any kind is prohibited.

#### Regulation .13 Gambling.

*COMAR 11.04.07.13*

Gambling is prohibited. This regulation does not apply to State lottery terminals.

#### Regulation .14 Blocking.

*COMAR 11.04.07.14*

Interfering with or blocking any drive, path, walk, building, or area is prohibited.

#### Regulation .15 Loitering.

*COMAR 11.04.07.15*

Loitering in or around toilet facilities is prohibited.

#### Regulation .16 Vandalizing, Defacing, Misusing, or Damaging the Area.

*COMAR 11.04.07.16*

Vandalizing, defacing, misusing, or damaging any man-made or natural part of the area is prohibited.

#### Regulation .17 Public Demonstration.

*COMAR 11.04.07.17*

Public demonstration or oration is prohibited.

#### Regulation .18 Throwing Objects.

*COMAR 11.04.07.18*

Throwing stones or other objects is prohibited.

#### Regulation .19 Uncivil Acts.

*COMAR 11.04.07.19*

Uncivil language, gestures, and acts are prohibited.

#### Regulation .20 Breach of Peace.

*COMAR 11.04.07.20*

Any act amounting to breach of the peace is prohibited.

#### Regulation .21 Commercial Activities.

*COMAR 11.04.07.21*

Unless duly authorized by the State Highway Administration, the following commercial activities are prohibited:

A. Selling or advertising;

B. Posting notices or signs;

C. Hiring, leasing, or letting out merchandise;

D. Displaying or exhibiting merchandise.

#### Regulation .22 Administration Employee Witnessing Infraction.

*COMAR 11.04.07.22*

A State Highway Administration employee or contractual employee, who witnesses an infraction of these regulations, shall immediately contact the Maryland State Police and request assistance, if the infraction would not otherwise be reported or corrected.