on September 10, 2026

Maryland Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: Maryland has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. The highest set ticket among them is $200, in Baltimore.

Why Maryland leaves it to cities

Maryland has no statewide law requiring people to pick up after their dogs. Pick-up rules are set by Baltimore City and by each county, which matters in Maryland because many of its largest communities, including Columbia and Germantown, are unincorporated and governed entirely by county code. On state land, the Maryland Park Service regulation (COMAR 08.07.06.17) deals with leashes rather than cleanup: pets must be on a leash of no more than 6 feet in designated pet areas of developed state parks, and no more than 10 feet in undeveloped areas. Pets other than guide and service dogs are barred from picnic, cabin, and camping areas.

  • State park pet rule (leash lengths; pets barred from picnic, cabin, and camping areas except guide and service dogs): COMAR 08.07.06.17 (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in Maryland's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Baltimore Baltimore City Health Code § 10-313, Animal waste; environmental citation fine under City Code Art. 1, § 40-14(e); criminal penalty under Health Code § 10-1102 $200 Yes
Columbia Howard County Code § 17.302(a)(4), Nuisances (Columbia is an unincorporated community governed by Howard County code); fines under § 17.318(c) $50 No
Germantown Montgomery County Code § 5-203(a)(2) (Germantown is an unincorporated community governed by Montgomery County code); penalty class under § 5-305; fine amounts under § 1-19 $100 No

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

In Baltimore, the law does not just require you to pick up. It requires you to be carrying something to pick up with, so walking out without a bag can be an offense on its own even if your dog never goes.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about Maryland

  • Baltimore's rule reaches your own yard: the owner must immediately remove feces left 'on that person's or any other person's private property' as well as on public property, must carry a means of removal, and may not dispose of waste in a storm drain or watershed area (§ 10-313).
  • Baltimore's $200 environmental citation doubles to $400 for a second violation within 12 months, and the city can instead prosecute it as a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000.
  • In Montgomery County (Germantown), a warning changes the math: once the County has warned an owner, even orally, a repeat becomes a 'public nuisance' and the civil fine jumps from $100 to $500.
  • Two of Maryland's three most populous places, Columbia and Germantown, have no city government. Their pick-up rules come from Howard County and Montgomery County code respectively.

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in Maryland?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in Maryland?

It depends on the city. Baltimore: $200. Columbia: $50. Germantown: $100.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in Maryland?

In Baltimore, yes. The ordinance requires you to have a means of removal with you while walking your dog.

Are service dog handlers exempt?

In Baltimore, the ordinance exempts handlers who have a disability and cannot physically pick up. The exemption covers the handler, not the dog.

Other states in the South

Texas · Florida · Georgia · North Carolina · Virginia · Tennessee · South Carolina · Alabama

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.