Council introduces ordinance to ban camping, sleeping on public property; second reading set for July 16

Ocean City City Council on June 25 introduced Ordinance 2608, which would add a prohibition against camping or sleeping on public property to the city27s police regulations. The ordinance text (introduced on first reading) defines covered areas including boardwalks and public gazebos, while noting limited exceptions such as napping on the beach.

City staff explained the scope and the limited exception for beach napping. The council voted to introduce the ordinance on first reading; the second reading and public hearing is scheduled for July 16 at 6:00 p.m., with publication to follow according to law. No substantive public testimony on this ordinance was recorded in the meeting segment devoted to its introduction.