[Amended by Ord. No. O-8-07, effective 9-4-2007]
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle at any time if such vehicle or any part thereof is parked:
A. 
On a street or public way within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
B. 
Within a street or alley intersection.
C. 
Within any crosswalk.
D. 
On a street or public way within 30 feet of the curbline of an intersecting street.
E. 
On a street or public way within 15 feet in either direction from a bus stop sign.
F. 
On a street or public way nearer than three feet to the vehicle parked in front or in the rear thereof.
G. 
On any bridge, viaduct, or approach thereto.
H. 
On a street or public way within 25 feet of, in the direction of the approach to, any stop sign or official marker designating an arterial highway.
I. 
On a street or public way within 20 feet of, in either direction from, any treadle or vehicle-operated control of any traffic signal on the side of the street on which the treadle or control is located.
J. 
For the duration of an emergency, within 25 feet of any sign or device posted by the City Manager or his designee or Prince George's County Police Department or Bowie Police Department indicating that parking is prohibited because of an emergency, unless such sign or device sets forth the area in which parking is prohibited because of an emergency; then, in such case, within the designated area.
K. 
At a location contrary to directions given by any member of the Bowie Police Department or Prince George's County Police Department or Fire Department to keep clear fire lanes or police lanes, or to facilitate the flow of traffic at or near the scene of a fire, accident or other emergency, provided the prohibition of parking at such a location is made known to the person so parking.
L. 
On any sidewalk or on any grass plot between a clearly defined curbline, where a curb exists, or the edge of the pavement, where a curb does not exist, and the adjacent property line. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the parking of bicycles on a sidewalk in such manner as not to obstruct pedestrian traffic.
[Amended 3-7-2011 by Ord. No. O-7-11, effective 4-6-2011]
M. 
Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such parking will interfere with traffic.
N. 
In front of any barricade or sign that has been placed for the purpose of closing a street.
O. 
At a location which will reduce the width of the open roadway to less than eight feet along a street, or will obstruct a clear passageway along the same for fire apparatus or any other vehicle.
P. 
On a street or public way at a location which obstructs the entrance to any driveway or the entrance to any building or garage or prevents passage over and upon any driveway or private vehicle entrance connecting private property with an abutting street.
[Amended 12-3-2012 by Ord. No. O-8-12, effective 1-2-2013]
Q. 
Other than on a street, upon any private driveway or upon any private property, unless with permission of the person in control thereof or an occupant thereof, under any of the following conditions:
(1) 
If such driveway or property is posted to indicate that parking thereon is prohibited; or
(2) 
After the person so parking is warned by a person in control of such driveway or occupying such property.
R. 
Upon a cul-de-sac, unless said vehicle shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheel parallel to and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
S. 
On any street or public way or on public property where the City has posted signs restricting the parking or standing of vehicles.
T. 
In a parking space designated as reserved for the disabled, unless:
(1) 
The vehicle bears either a valid set of special registration license plates or a valid special disability parking placard, issued by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration pursuant to Title 13, Subtitle 6, Part II, of the Transportation Article of the Maryland Annotated Code; and
(2) 
The disabled person for whom the special registration plates and/or parking placard have been issued is using the vehicle.
U. 
In an area designated by signs or curb painting as a fire or emergency lane.
V. 
On a street or public way within three feet of a driveway without the consent of the owner of the property to which the driveway provides access.
[Added 12-3-2012 by Ord. No. O-12-12, effective 1-2-2013]
A. 
Manner of parking generally. A vehicle that is stopped or parked on a two-way roadway shall be stopped or parked parallel to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, with its right-hand wheels within 12 inches of that curb or edge of the roadway.
B. 
Parking on one-way roadway. A vehicle that is stopped or parked on a one-way roadway shall be stopped or parked parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway, in the direction of authorized traffic movement, with:
(1) 
Its right-hand wheels within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway; or
(2) 
Its left-hand wheels within 12 inches of the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
A. 
No person shall park any commercial vehicle, as defined in § 14-1 of this chapter, on any City street or City-owned property.
B. 
This section shall not apply to vehicles which are in the course of a commercial purpose.
C. 
Any vehicle which is parked in violation of this section shall immediately be subject to being towed from such street or City-owned property and impounded after it has been parked for a twenty-four-hour period. The impoundment of the vehicle shall be done pursuant to § 14-14 of the Chapter.
D. 
A vehicle parked in violation of this section is subject to immediate impoundment as described in Subsection C and/or a parking ticket as described in § 14-25 of this chapter.
[Amended by Ord. No. O-8-07, effective 9-4-2007]
A. 
No vehicle shall be left upon any City street or public space in the City for a continuous period longer than 72 hours without being moved a distance of at least one full vehicle length. If the vehicle is a motor vehicle, the vehicle must be moved under its own power.
B. 
No abandoned vehicle shall be left upon any City street for any period.
C. 
Any vehicle found parked upon any street or public space in the City in violation of this section may be impounded by the City Manager or his designee after notice to the driver or owner of the vehicle. Such notice shall state that the vehicle is parked in violation of this section of the Bowie Code and shall state the penalty therefor. The notice shall be attached to the vehicle and shall direct the owner or operator of the vehicle to remove the vehicle within 48 hours.
A. 
Conformity with state law. The procedures to be followed for impoundment of vehicles are as set forth below and shall substantially conform to the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, §§ 25-204 to 25-209, as amended from time to time.
[Amended 11-18-2024 by Ord. No. O-9-24]
B. 
Procedures following impoundment.
(1) 
The last known registered owner is presumed to be the owner of a vehicle at the time it is abandoned.
(2) 
As soon as reasonably possible, and within seven days of the City impounding a vehicle, the City Manager or his designee shall notify the owner and any secured parties by certified mail that the vehicle is in custody. The notice shall be in compliance with the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, § 25-204(b) and (c).
(3) 
If the City Manager or his designee is unable to determine the identify of the owner or secured parties on the vehicle, he may provide notice of the impoundment by publication.
(4) 
If a vehicle is not reclaimed within three weeks of the date of the notice of impoundment, the owner or secured party is deemed to have waived all of his right, title and interest in the vehicle and to have consented to its sale at public auction.
(5) 
If the money collected from the public auction sale of the vehicle is not enough to reimburse the City for the cost of towing, preserving, and storing the vehicle, the last registered owner shall be liable to the City for the remaining amount up to $300.
A. 
A vehicle is subject to impoundment, without prior notice, by the City Manager or his designee when it is on public property under the following circumstances:
(1) 
When the vehicle is impeding or is likely to impede the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
(2) 
When the vehicle is parked where parking is prohibited during certain hours, on designated days or at all times, and where such vehicle is interfering with the proper and intended use of such zones;
(3) 
When the vehicle poses an immediate danger to the public safety;
(4) 
When the operator of the vehicle has been taken into custody and impoundment of the vehicle is reasonably necessary to provide for the safekeeping of the vehicle;
(5) 
When the vehicle is found parked in a reserved parking space such as a handicapped space or a space reserved for City or County officials or law enforcement personnel; or
(6) 
When the City has, within the previous 60 days, issued a notice of intention to impound the vehicle for violation of § 14-13 of this chapter, the original notice period set forth in such notice has expired, and the vehicle has been parked again on public property and is inoperative or otherwise illegal.
B. 
Procedures for impounding a vehicle shall be as set forth in § 14-14 of this chapter and shall substantially conform to the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, §§ 25-204 to 25-209, as amended from time to time.
[Amended 11-18-2024 by Ord. No. O-9-24]
A. 
Any inoperative vehicle found parked or stored exposed to public view anywhere on any residential lot for a continuous period of 10 days may be removed, conveyed, and impounded by or under the direction of the City Manager or his designee. Vehicles that may be impounded under this section include, but are not limited to, any motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers. The charge for such removal, conveyance or impoundment shall be charged to the owner of the vehicle or the resident on whose property the vehicle was stored, in such amount as the City Manager shall have established by regulation hereunder. The procedures to be followed for impoundment of vehicles pursuant to this section are set forth in § 14-14 of the Code.
B. 
Before the City shall impound a vehicle pursuant to this section, it shall issue a notice to the property owner stating that this section of the Bowie City Code is being violated and providing seven days for the property owner to remove the offending vehicle.
[Amended by Ord. No. O-8-07, effective 9-4-2007]
Any vehicle impounded under the provisions of this chapter may be repossessed by the owner or any other person duly authorized upon the payment to the City Manager or designee of a fee of $50 for impoundment processing fees and the payment of any outstanding fines for any parking citations issued by the City with respect to the vehicle, provided that judgment has been entered with respect to such citations by a court of appropriate jurisdiction or the time for the owner to request a trial with respect to such citations has expired.
[Added 9-17-2007 by Ord. No. O-11-07, effective 10-17-2007]
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any City street or public way in contravention of any traffic regulation device or posted sign, including but not limited to any device or sign that restricts or prohibits the use of such street or public way by trucks.
[Added 10-19-2009 by Ord. No. O-10-09, effective 11-18-2009; amended 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. O-3-22; 10-20-2025 by Ord. No. O-12-25]
A. 
In this section, the following words have the meanings indicated:
BUSINESS DISTRICT
An area that adjoins and includes a highway where at least 50% of the frontage along the highway, for a distance of at least 300 feet, is occupied by buildings used for business.
DEPARTMENT
The Bowie Police Department.
OWNER
The registered owner of a motor vehicle or a lessee of a motor vehicle under a lease of six months or more, except that "owner" does not include:
(1) 
A motor vehicle rental or leasing company; or
(2) 
A holder of a special registration plate issued under Title 13, Subtitle 9, Part III, of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
RECORDED IMAGE
An image recorded by a speed monitoring system on a photograph, a microphotograph, an electronic image, a videotape, or any other medium, and showing:
(1) 
The rear of a motor vehicle;
(2) 
At least two time-stamped images of the motor vehicle that include the same stationary object near the motor vehicle; and
(3) 
On at least one image or portion of tape, a clear and legible identification of the entire registration plate number of the motor vehicle.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
An area that is not a business district and adjoins and includes a highway where the property along the highway, for a distance of at least 300 feet, is improved mainly with residences or residences and buildings used for business.
SCHOOL ZONE
A designated roadway segment within up to a half-mile radius of a school for any of grades kindergarten through grade 12 where school-related activity occurs, including travel by students to or from school on foot or by bicycle, or the dropping off or picking up of students by school buses or other vehicles.
SPEED MONITORING SYSTEM
A device with one or more motor vehicle sensors producing recorded images of motor vehicles traveling at speeds at least 12 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.
SPEED MONITORING SYSTEM OPERATOR
A representative of the Department or a contractor that operates a speed monitoring system.
SPEED ZONE
An area in which the City is authorized by § 21-809 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to monitor vehicular speed and to issue citations to the vehicle operator for violations of the posted speed limit using a speed monitoring system, including areas properly designated in accordance with that section that are adjacent to primary or secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and on highways in residential districts with a maximum posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
B. 
School zones and speed zones.
(1) 
The City Council, by resolution, following reasonable notice to the public and a public hearing, may establish a school zone on any road under the City's jurisdiction within 1/2 mile of a school and may establish an authorized speed zone, and for any school zone or speed zone so established, shall set a maximum speed limit, provided that the designation of such school zone and the maximum speed limit set for such zone shall not become effective until the City installs signs designating the school zone and indicating the maximum speed limit applicable in the school zone.
(2) 
The City may install or erect traffic control devices in a designated speed zone in addition to the signs required by Subsection B(1), including timed flashing warning lights and including a speed monitoring system as defined in Subsection A of this section.
C. 
Before activating a speed monitoring system, the City Manager or his or her designee shall:
(1) 
Publish notice of the location of the speed monitoring system on the City's website and in a newspaper of general circulation in the City; and
(2) 
Ensure that each sign that designates a speed zone indicates that a speed monitoring system is in use in the speed zone and that the sign conforms to the specifications set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the State Highway Administration under § 25-104 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
D. 
A speed monitoring system in a school zone may operate only Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. A speed monitoring system in a location other than a school zone may operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
E. 
A speed monitoring system operator shall:
(1) 
Complete training by a manufacturer of speed monitoring systems in the procedures for setting up and operating the speed monitoring system.
(2) 
Fill out and sign a daily set-up log for a speed monitoring system that states that the speed monitoring system operator successfully performed the manufacturer-specified self-test of the speed monitoring system prior to producing a recorded image. The daily set-up log required by this subsection shall be kept on file and shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation of this section.
F. 
A speed monitoring system manufacturer shall issue a signed certificate to the speed monitoring system operator on completion of the training, which certificate shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation of this section.
G. 
Calibration check.
(1) 
A speed monitoring system shall undergo an annual calibration check performed by an independent calibration laboratory.
(2) 
The independent calibration laboratory shall issue a signed certificate of calibration after the annual calibration check, which shall be kept on file and shall be admitted as evidence in any court proceeding for a violation of this section.
H. 
Penalty.
(1) 
Unless a driver of a motor vehicle received a citation from a police officer at the time of a violation, the owner or, in accordance with Subsection K(4) of this section, the driver of a motor vehicle is subject to a civil penalty if the motor vehicle is recorded by a speed monitoring system while being operated at least 12 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.
(2) 
The penalty for a violation established by a speed monitoring system under this subsection shall be:
(a) 
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by between 12 and 15, inclusive, miles per hour, $40;
(b) 
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by between 16 and 19, inclusive, miles per hour, $70;
(c) 
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by between 20 and 29, inclusive, miles per hour, $120;
(d) 
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by between 30 and 39, inclusive, miles per hour, $230; and
(e) 
If the citation alleges that the driver of the motor vehicle exceeded the speed limit by 40 miles per hour or more, $425.
I. 
Citation.
(1) 
Subject to the provisions of Subsection I(2) through (4) of this section, the Department shall mail to an owner liable under Subsection H of this section a citation, upon a form to be prescribed by the District Court of Maryland, that shall include the information required by § 21-809 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
(2) 
The Department may mail a warning notice instead of a citation to the owner liable under Subsection H of this section and, for a period of 30 days after the City installs the first speed monitoring system, the Department shall mail only a warning notice and may not issue a citation.
(3) 
Except as provided in Subsection K(4) of this section, the City may not mail a citation to a person who is not an owner.
(4) 
Except as provided in Subsection K(4) of this section, a citation issued under this section shall be mailed no later than two weeks after the alleged violation if the vehicle is registered in this state and 30 days after the alleged violation if the vehicle is registered in another state.
(5) 
A person who receives a citation under Subsection I(1) of this section may:
(a) 
Pay the civil penalty, in accordance with instructions on the citation, directly to the City; or
(b) 
Elect to stand trial in the District Court for the alleged violation.
J. 
Certificate admissible as evidence of facts contained within.
(1) 
A certificate alleging that the violation of this section occurred and satisfying the requirements of § 21-809(e)(1) of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland shall be evidence of the facts contained in the certificate and shall be admissible in a proceeding alleging a violation under this section without the presence or testimony of the speed monitoring system operator.
(2) 
If a person who received a citation under Subsection H of this section desires the speed monitoring system operator to be present and testify at trial, the person shall notify the Court and the state in writing no later than 20 days before trial.
(3) 
Adjudication of liability shall be based on a preponderance of evidence.
K. 
Defenses.
(1) 
Pursuant to § 21-809 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the District Court may consider in defense of a violation:
(a) 
Subject to Subsection K(2) of this section, that the motor vehicle or the registration plates of the motor vehicle were stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of violation;
(b) 
Subject to Subsection K(3) of this section, evidence that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and
(c) 
Any other issues and evidence that the District Court deems pertinent.
(2) 
To demonstrate that the motor vehicle or the registration plates were stolen before the violation occurred and were not under the control or possession of the owner at the time of the violation, the owner shall submit proof that a police report regarding the stolen motor vehicle or registration plates was filed in a timely manner.
(3) 
To satisfy the evidentiary burden under Subsection K(1)(b) of this section, the person named in the citation shall provide to the District Court a letter, sworn to or affirmed by the person and mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, that:
(a) 
States that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation; and
(b) 
Includes any other corroborating evidence.
(4) 
Issuance of citation to person operating vehicle.
(a) 
If the District Court finds that the person named in the citation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation or receives evidence under Subsection K(3) of this section identifying the person driving the vehicle at the time of the violation, the Clerk of the Court shall provide to the Department a copy of any evidence substantiating who was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
(b) 
On receipt of substantiating evidence from the District Court under Subsection K(4)(a), the Department may issue a citation as provided in Subsection I of this section to the person who the evidence indicates was operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
(c) 
A citation issued under Subsection K(4)(b) shall be mailed no later than two weeks after receipt of the evidence from the District Court.
L. 
Pursuant to § 21-108 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, if a person liable under this section does not pay the civil penalty or contest the violation, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration:
(1) 
May refuse to register or reregister the motor vehicle cited for the violation; or
(2) 
May suspend the registration of the motor vehicle cited for the violation.
M. 
Pursuant to § 21-108 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, a violation for which a civil penalty is imposed under this section:
(1) 
Is not a moving violation for the purpose of assessing points under § 16-402 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland;
(2) 
May not be recorded by the Motor Vehicle Administration on the driving record of the owner or driver of the vehicle;
(3) 
May be treated as a parking violation for purposes of § 26-305 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland; and
(4) 
May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance coverage.