Ocean City, MD Implements New Beach Canopy Regulations to Enhance Safety and Accessibility
Ocean City, MD
The Town of Ocean City has officially passed new beach regulations prohibiting tents and limiting canopy use on its beaches, effective immediately. This ordinance aims to enhance safety, improve visibility, and ensure a more enjoyable experience for all beachgoers.
Under the new policy, tents—defined as any structure with sides—are no longer permitted on Ocean City beaches. Canopies, which are open-sided shade structures, remain allowed but must adhere to specific guidelines:
- Must be open on all four sides
- Size limit: no larger than 10ft x 10ft
- Keep at least 3 feet of space between your canopy and your neighbor’s
- Anchoring must stay within the footprint of the canopy
- No canopies left unattended before 10:00 a.m.
- Canopies must be placed behind the lifeguard stand
- Baby tents are permitted but no larger than 3ft x 3ft x 3ft
“Our beaches get extremely crowded, and we want to make sure that we’re able to provide an experience that everybody can enjoy,” stated Mayor Rick Meehan. “We realize that canopies are important for sun protection. We just want to make sure that what we’re not doing is making it so other people can’t enjoy their time out on the beach as well.”
The new policy helps improve emergency access, maintains clear sightlines for lifeguards and beach patrol, and reduces crowding during peak summer months. The changes also reflect successful practices adopted by other popular beach towns in the region.
The town encourages all beachgoers to familiarize themselves with the new regulations to ensure compliance and contribute to a safer, more enjoyable beach environment for everyone.
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