Ocean City's beaches are free and open to the public. The rules below summarize current town and Beach Patrol guidance; posted signs and lifeguard instructions should always be followed.
- Beach Patrol guards Ocean City's 10 miles of beach from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the third Sunday after Labor Day. Do not swim when lifeguards are off duty: keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard is in the stand.
- No one may be on the beach or in the ocean between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Sleeping on the beach is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- Alcoholic beverages and open containers are prohibited on the beach, Boardwalk, streets, alleys, sidewalks, and municipal parking lots.
- Private vehicles are not permitted on the beach at any time. Off-road permits are available for Assateague Island, subject to Assateague rules.
- Open fires, bonfires, grills, hibachis, gas-fired grills, and liquid propane are not permitted on the beach or other public property unless allowed by a Fire Marshal permit. Public grilling is limited to areas where grills are provided.
- Ball playing, Frisbee throwing, kite flying, and similar activities are restricted during guarded beach hours and may be limited by Beach Patrol based on beach conditions and crowding.
- Surfing is limited to designated surf beaches between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. during the restricted season. Ocean City has two rotating surf beaches plus a permanent surf beach at the Inlet; surfboard leashes are required.
- Skimboarding and bodyboarding with fins or rigid attachments are not allowed on non-surfing beaches during guarded hours.
- Surf fishing is not allowed from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through September 30 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. within 50 yards of swimmers or anyone on the beach.
- Pets are prohibited on the beach from May 1 through September 30. Pets are allowed on the beach and Boardwalk from October 1 through April 30, but dogs must be leashed and owners must clean up after them.
- Horseback riding on the beach is available by permit from November 1 through March 30, between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., from 27th Street south to the Inlet jetty.
- Bicycles and skateboards are allowed on the Boardwalk all day in the off-season, from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day. During Springfest and Sunfest weekends, they are allowed from 2:00 a.m. to noon. From the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, they are allowed from 2:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Roller skates and rollerblades are allowed on the Boardwalk anytime from October 1 through March 31. From April 1 through September 30, hours are limited by date, day of week, holiday, and special-event schedules; check posted Boardwalk rules before skating.
- Excessive noise is prohibited. Noise from a building may not be audible 50 feet away between midnight and 7:00 a.m.; vehicle noise may not be audible 50 feet away at any time.
Sources: Ocean City Beach Patrol, Beach Patrol FAQs, Ocean City surf beaches, and the Town of Ocean City beach regulations.