Ocean City is proud to be home to one of America’s most popular and family-friendly boardwalks. Our 2.9-mile boardwalk stretches from the Inlet in South Ocean City to 27th Street. In addition to our famous boardwalk, our ten-mile stretch of beach and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean are free and open to the public from 5 AM to 12:00 Midnight. Ocean City also wants to ensure the safety of all beach visitors during beach maintenance. Sleeping on the beach is not allowed between 10 PM and 6 AM because we use the overnight and early morning hours to keep the beaches clean and beautiful. No private vehicles are permitted on the beach at any time.
For your protection, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty during the summer between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM every day from Memorial Day weekend through the third Sunday following Labor Day Monday. Please make sure to obey their instructions, swim near a lifeguard at all times, and have a buddy with you when you’re in the surf. The mission of the Beach Patrol is to provide safety for all beach-goers. Lifeguards on duty must have a clear line of vision and may establish said line running parallel to the ocean. Beach umbrellas, ball-playing, and other beach accessories will not be permitted eastward of said line.
Bonfires are allowed on the beach by permit only. More information, including regulations, restrictions, and the online permit application can be found at www.ocbonfires.com.
Bicycles, pushcarts, Class 1 Electric Bikes and EPAMDS are allowed on the boardwalk at the following times
From Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, between 2:00 a.m. – Noon.
From Tuesday after Labor Day through Friday before Memorial Day at any time.
Class 2 & 3 Electric bicycles are not allowed on the boardwalk at any time.
Boat Trailer Parking
Are you bringing a boat? Boat trailers may park at the 100th St. Municipal Lot for a fee. Please be aware that boat trailers are not permitted on public streets, alleys, or public parking lots between May 1 and October 31.
Fireworks
The discharge of all fireworks and pyrotechnics, including ground-based sparklers sold or allowed in neighboring states and counties, is PROHIBITED in the Town of Ocean City. Only small handheld sparklers are permitted to be used with competent, adult supervision. Those interested in conducting organized fireworks displays by MD-licensed pyrotechnicians may apply for a permit from the Fire Marshal’s Office.
For more information, please visit https://oceancitymd.gov/forms/firemarshal/Fireworks_OnlinApplication.pdf.
Highway Safety
Millions of visitors travel to Ocean City each summer. So it is important that vacationers are mindful of our highway laws.
There are bus/bike lanes on both sides of Coastal Highway to support the flow of traffic. Please do not park or drive in these lanes unless you are making a right turn. Be alert for bicyclists when entering or leaving the highway.
Municipal buses travel on the far right-hand lane on Coastal Highway. They stop and pick up or discharge passengers only at designated bus stops. Please keep this in mind when following a bus.
Motorists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the street at a crosswalk, at any controlled intersection when obeying the traffic signals, and at any non-signaled intersection.
Bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as motorists and may receive citations for failing to obey these rules of the road. The most common violations committed by bicyclists are riding against the flow of traffic in the bike lane and failing to obey traffic signals. A headlight and rear reflector are required on all bicycles being used in Ocean City at night.
Horseback Riding
Ocean City now offers horseback riding on the beach during winter and early spring. Permit applications are available for individuals wishing to ride horses on Ocean City’s beach.
Download the application here.
The cost is $20 for a single-day permit and $50 for a seasonal permit. Horseback riding will be allowed on the beach from November 1st to March 30th, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., starting at 27th Street and extending south to the Inlet jetty.
Noise Regulations
Remember that many folks are here visiting to relax. Please be respectful of your neighbors both on and off the beach.
It is unlawful for any person to make, cause, or continue any loud, unnecessary, unnatural or unusual noise, or any noise which annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace and safety of others at any time, day or night.
Ocean City strongly enforces its ordinance that no disruptive noises be made between 12 midnight and 7 a.m. in such a manner as to be heard at a distance of 50 feet from the building or structure which it is located.
Maryland Motor Vehicle Law and Ocean City Town Ordinance state that no loud noise from a vehicle may be heard at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle at any time.
Other Important City Ordinances to Note
In Ocean City, we take laws related to alcohol consumption very seriously. Drinking alcoholic beverages in public is prohibited, including on any street, avenue, alleyway, sidewalk, beach, parking lot and vehicle in any of these areas. Possession of an open container of any alcoholic beverage in public is not allowed.
Sleeping in any motor vehicle within the city limits of Ocean City is prohibited. Sleeping on the beach is also not allowed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Parking Information
Ocean City has worked hard to ensure that parking is accessible for our visitors. Parking is available in city lots, private lots, and on certain public streets unless otherwise noted.
Ample free parking is available at the Leave the driving to us and park your car for the day, and you can take the city bus into Ocean City. The West Ocean City Shuttle between the South Division Street Transit Center, West Ocean City Park & Ride, and the Tanger Outlet is a seasonal operation that begins in May and runs intermittently into October.
Please do not park in front of any red painted curbs or in front of any public or private driveways. It is also important to note that when parking next to the curb, please park with the flow of traffic with your vehicle’s wheels within 12 inches of the curb.
Pedestrian Safety
It is the responsibility of every Ocean City visitor and resident to be alert and responsible when walking throughout the town. Please cross only at marked crosswalks, preferably those with pedestrian signal lights. Maryland law requires pedestrians to use the sidewalks where available, instead of walking in the street. Please do not walk or jog in the bus/bike area on Coastal Highway. Hitchhiking is also prohibited in Ocean City.
Pet Parents
If you’re bringing your four-legged friend, it’s important to note that animals are only allowed on the beach and boardwalk between October 1 and April 30. Any handler or owner of a dog must remove any waste deposited on public or private property not owned by the handler or owner in possession of the dog. Dogs must also be kept on a leash when being walked in and around Ocean City.
During peak season and year-round, a Dog Playground is available at 94th Street and bayside so your pet can let loose and enjoy their time in Ocean City. For more information, contact OC Recreation & Parks at 410-250-0125 or view the following webpage: https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/recreation-parks/dog-playground/.
Roller Skates/Blades
Weekdays
April 1 through Memorial Day 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Labor Day through September 30 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weekends
April 1 through May 15 Sunrise to 12 noon
May 15 through Memorial Day Sunrise to 10 a.m.
Day after Labor Day through September 30 Sunrise to 10 a.m.
Holidays
April 1 through May 15 Sunrise to 12 noon
May 15 through Memorial Day Sunrise to 10 a.m.
Day after Labor Day through September 30 Sunrise to 10 a.m.
October 1 through March 31 Anytime
Springfest Sunrise to 12 noon
Sunfest Sunrise to 10 a.m.
RV Parking
RVs and other oversized vehicles may not park in any municipal lot, public street, or alley between May 1 and October 31 of each year by Town Ordinance. An oversized vehicle is defined as 21 feet 2 inches or more in length and 6 feet 8 inches in width, needing more than one parking space. For more information, please call the Ocean City Police Department at 410-723-6610.
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is prohibited on any other public street, public way, ramp, public alley, public sidewalk, public lots or any other public property (except for public skateboard facilities and public sponsored or authorized skateboard events) within the corporate limits of Ocean City between April 1 and October 1 of each year.
Off-Season:No Restrictions
Smoking/Vaping (Tobacco, Nicotine or Marijuana Smoke and Vapor)
Smoking or Vaping cannabis in public is illegal in the State of Maryland.
Ocean City has designated smoking areas to help keep our beautiful beach clean.View our map of the designated smoking areas
The designated smoking areas, which are designed to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers, feature waste receptacles and are located along the beach.
Smoking/vaping must be contained within 15 feet of the waste receptacle in each designated smoking area.The boardwalk is a smoke-free zone.
The smoking rules apply to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaping, e-cigarettes, and any other matter or substance that contains tobacco.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing is permitted in Ocean City. However, make sure you are not within 50 yards of swimmers or anyone on the beach between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. * Also, note that you are required to have a Saltwater Fishing License. Visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for more information.
Surfing
Do you want to catch some waves? Ocean City has some great surf spots, but surfing is only permitted in two designated beaches announced daily on local radio stations, or you can visit our Beach Patrol website. For everyone’s safety, these two areas are exclusively reserved for surfing on indicated days. To obtain more information on surf beaches and beach conditions, you can call any of the area surf shops.
Swimming
When swimming in the ocean, it’s important to be careful as the ocean surf can be rough. It is best to swim using the buddy system and have someone with you in the water at all times. Beach patrol members are on duty from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day during summer to ensure your safety. Please obey the beach patrol when you are on the beach. They are there to protect you, and it’s always better to swim near a lifeguard.
