Avoid a $250 hit to your wallet! Are you towing illegally under this new parking law?
- Replies 0
A recently passed regulation is targeting certain oversized vehicles parked on public streets, and the fines are no small matter.
Drivers could be hit with $250 per day, plus the risk of towing and impoundment if they don't move fast.
Whether you own one of these vehicles—or just live on a block where they’ve started popping up—this rule is making waves in more ways than one.
Here's what you need to know before it hits your driveway.
The reason? “Boats, particularly those parked on trailers, are larger and taller than typical vehicles. These watercraft create potential hazards by obstructing traffic or traffic sight lines,” the bill reads.
The law gives boat owners a 72-hour grace period to remove their craft from public property. After that, the fine kicks in:
This law addresses more than just boat trailers—it’s about safety, neighborhood aesthetics, and fair use of public space.
“It’s a neighborhood quality of life issue,” Olson told ABC affiliate WJLA. “We need to make sure our neighborhoods are clean and safe, and this is part of that effort.”
And for those who tow other large items—think RVs, utility trailers, or storage pods—it’s a good time to double-check your local laws.
This kind of legislation could spread quickly to other communities.
“It was very distracting,” she told WJLA. “I just got really upset about it because it wasn’t supposed to be there.”
Neighbor Bill Walmsley echoed the frustration: “A boat. It’s used, what, three months out of the year? And the rest of the time, it just sits. So why should the taxpayers of this county be paying for a boat slip for these people?”
Their push helped spur the county to action—and set a precedent for similar legislation in other jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, this isn't the only new rule that could cost you.
From stealthy surveillance catching high-tech parking violations to surprising new laws you’ve likely never heard of, fines are popping up in more places than you'd think.
Stay ahead of the curve (and protect your wallet) by checking out these other must-read GrayVine reports: the high-tech parking crackdown you could be fined for and the new law quietly hitting drivers with $250 tickets.
Because sometimes, what you don’t know really can hurt your bottom line.
Have you had trouble with oversized vehicles in your neighborhood? Are you a boat owner figuring out where to park legally and safely? Share your tips, frustrations, or solutions in the comments.
Drivers could be hit with $250 per day, plus the risk of towing and impoundment if they don't move fast.
Whether you own one of these vehicles—or just live on a block where they’ve started popping up—this rule is making waves in more ways than one.
Here's what you need to know before it hits your driveway.
What the New Law Actually Says
Introduced by County Council Member Eric Olson, the bill targets boats left parked on public roads for extended periods.The reason? “Boats, particularly those parked on trailers, are larger and taller than typical vehicles. These watercraft create potential hazards by obstructing traffic or traffic sight lines,” the bill reads.
The law gives boat owners a 72-hour grace period to remove their craft from public property. After that, the fine kicks in:
- $250 for the first violation
- $500 for a second
- And after 48 hours of noncompliance, the city can seize and impound the boat—especially if it’s blocking traffic.
A new bill in Prince George's County targets boats left parked on public roads for extended periods. Image source: Victor Lasetzki / Unsplash
Why It Matters (Even If You Don’t Own a Boat)
You might think this doesn’t apply to you, but it's a broader wake-up call: how and where we park what we tow matters.This law addresses more than just boat trailers—it’s about safety, neighborhood aesthetics, and fair use of public space.
“It’s a neighborhood quality of life issue,” Olson told ABC affiliate WJLA. “We need to make sure our neighborhoods are clean and safe, and this is part of that effort.”
And for those who tow other large items—think RVs, utility trailers, or storage pods—it’s a good time to double-check your local laws.
This kind of legislation could spread quickly to other communities.
Community Voices: When Boats Become Burdens
The new law wasn’t passed in a vacuum. Residents like Connie Boddie, who has lived in Prince George's County for over 30 years, brought concerns to the council after a boat mysteriously appeared on her block and overstayed its welcome.“It was very distracting,” she told WJLA. “I just got really upset about it because it wasn’t supposed to be there.”
Neighbor Bill Walmsley echoed the frustration: “A boat. It’s used, what, three months out of the year? And the rest of the time, it just sits. So why should the taxpayers of this county be paying for a boat slip for these people?”
Their push helped spur the county to action—and set a precedent for similar legislation in other jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, this isn't the only new rule that could cost you.
From stealthy surveillance catching high-tech parking violations to surprising new laws you’ve likely never heard of, fines are popping up in more places than you'd think.
Stay ahead of the curve (and protect your wallet) by checking out these other must-read GrayVine reports: the high-tech parking crackdown you could be fined for and the new law quietly hitting drivers with $250 tickets.
Because sometimes, what you don’t know really can hurt your bottom line.
