TOWN OF OCEAN CITY ISSUES REGULATIONS ON BEACH CANOPIES TO ENHANCE SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY

Ocean City, MD - Ocean City, Maryland, a busy summer destination, has moved forward with new regulations concerning canopy use on its beaches. As of June 4, 2025, the Town of Ocean City officially prohibits tents and limits the use of canopies to improve safety and accessibility for visitors.

The new ordinance outlines specific guidelines for canopies. Some canopies remain permitted on the beaches but must be open on all four sides and cannot exceed the dimensions of 10 feet by 10 feet.

Additionally, beachgoers are required to maintain a 3-foot distance between their canopy and those of their neighbors. Anchoring should remain within the footprint of the canopy, and unattended canopies are not allowed before 10:00 a.m.

Furthermore, canopies must be positioned behind the lifeguard stand, while baby tents are allowed but restricted to a size of 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.

Mayor Rick Meehan explained the rationale behind the new regulations, stating, "Our beaches get extremely crowded, and we want to make sure that we're able to provide an experience that everybody can enjoy. 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."

These changes not only help improve emergency access and maintain clear sightlines for lifeguards and beach patrol but also reduce crowding during the peak summer months. The new policies are modeled after successful practices from other popular beach towns in the region.

The town officials are encouraging all visitors to familiarize themselves with these new guidelines to ensure compliance. By doing so, they hope to foster a safer and more enjoyable beach environment for all.