Rules and Regulations
CHAPTER V: Regulation of General Conduct and Personal Behavior (Code of Conduct)
Section 1. Policy
The Commission is committed to providing the citizen's of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties with quality park and recreational opportunities in a safe, healthy and enjoyable environment. To fulfill this commitment, the provisions contained in Chapter V are hereby established as the "Code of Conduct" which shall apply to the use of Comission Property. The Code simply requires that participants in Commission programs, with or without a reasonable accommodation, must conduct themselves in a rational and reasonable manner, in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Commission.
Section 2. Regulations
A. No person shall violate any regulation posted for the operation of an individual Commission facility.
B. No person or permit holder shall violate any rule or condition on a permit.
Section 3. Alcohol/Tobacco, Controlled Substances
Possession, use or distribution of alcohol (except by special permit); illegal drugs or controlled dangerous substances are prohibited. Smoking is prohibited in areas in which notice is posted.
Section 4. Indecent Conduct
A. Urinating or defecating on Commission property other than in the places officially provided is prohibited.
B. No person shall engage in the act of sexual intercourse or other sexual act or indecent or obscene acts or sexual harassment on Commission property.
Section 5. Obstructing Entrances, Exits, Sidewalks
No person(s) shall congregate or assemble in or about any public structure on Commission Property in such a manner as to hinder or obstruct the proper use thereof.
Section 6. Employees: Interference with Duties and Programs
A. No person may interfere with any Commission employee acting in the course of his or her official duties.
B. No person may disrupt or obstruct participation in a Commission program, activity or at a Commission facility.
Section 7. Unauthorized Presence
A person requested to leave Commission Property by authorized personnel must do so immediately.
Section 8. Destruction of Park Property
No person may deface, destroy, injure, misuse, or remove any Commission Property.
Section 9. Littering, Dumping and Storage
A. No person may deposit, leave, or spill refuse or other substances on Commission Property other than in receptacles provided for this purpose.
B. No person may deposit refuse from private premises in Commission trash receptacles. C. No person may store material of any description on Park Property except by written authorization from the Director.
C. No person may store material of any description on Park Property except by written authorizationfrom the Director.
Section 10. Posting Notices, Carrying Signs and Picketing
Attaching or posting of notices, signs, or any other objects on Commission Property is prohibited except by permit. Carrying signs or picketing on Commission Property is prohibited except by permit.
Section 11. Erecting Structures
Enclosure of any area or erection of any structures on Commission Property is prohibited unless authorized by permit.
Section 12. Commercial Use
Solicitation of any business, trade or occupation is strictly prohibited unless authorized by permit. This includes conducting class instruction for a fee and the taking of photographs and/or videos for commercial use.
Section 13. Audio Devices and Noise
No person may play an audio device or create excessive noise so as to disturb the peace.
Section 14. Automobile Service
No person may service any automobile on Park Property. Prohibited activities include washing, repairing, or performing other work, except in case of an emergency.
Section 15. Powered Model Airplanes and Rockets
No powered model airplanes or rockets shall be flown or launched from any park area except on officially designated areas or by permit.
Section 16. Fireworks and Explosives
No person may possess and or discharge any fireworks or other explosive pyrotechnics on Park Property, except by special permit.
Section 17. Weapons
No person shall carry or possess or discharge a bow and arrow, dart, firearm, knife with a blade of more than three (3) inches in length, or other dangerous weapon on Park Property except where permitted in designated areas. This provision does not apply to law enforcement officers and persons with legal permits.
Section 18. Gambling
No person may engage in gaming or gambling for money or any other thing in any form on Commission Property except by written permission from the Director for charitable purposes.
Section 19. Metal Detectors, Digging
Using metal detectors and/or digging into the surface of Park Property is prohibited except by permit.
Section 20. Domesticated Animals
A. No animal may be brought upon Park Property unless it is on a leash, and is at all times entirely within the control of the person bringing it upon Park Property.
B. Persons bringing any animal upon Park Property are responsible for immediate cleanup and removal of the animal's defecation.
C. The grazing of any animal is prohibited except in those areas under lease for such purpose.
D. Persons may not abandon domestic animals on Commission Property.
E. Domestic animals are not permitted at any time in certain posted areas of Park Property.
F. Domestic animals trespassing on Park Property may be impounded and shall be treated in accordance with applicable State and County statutes.
Section 21. Wildlife, Plants, Fossils, Minerals
A. No person shall catch, injure, destroy or interfere in any way with any wildlife, plants, fossils, or minerals, except as provided in Chapter VI, Section 7, Fishing, and Section 10, Hunting/Trapping.
B. Animals may not be released on Park Property without permission.
C. Planting vegetation or causing vegetation to be planted on Commission Property is prohibited except by permit.
D. No person may cut or saw any live or dead trees or their parts, with any type of equipment, power or otherwise, on Commission Property, or remove any live or dead trees from Commission Property except by permission from Park Management.
Section 22. Lost and Found Objects
Lost objects found on Commission Property must be turned over to the Park Police and may be recovered by proper identification at Park Police Headquarters. Lost objects will be held by the Park Police for three (3) months.
Section 23. Intended Use of Park Property
Use of Park Property for other than intended purposes is prohibited without prior authorization.
