Most people assume old-fashioned Sunday laws are long gone. Seriously. But Maryland still has several blue laws on the books right now. And they affect your weekend more than you might think.
Let’s break down exactly what Maryland’s blue laws cover, where they apply, and what can happen if someone ignores them.
What Are Blue Laws?
Blue laws are rules that restrict certain activities on Sundays. The name is a bit of a mystery. Some say early versions were printed on blue paper. Others say “blue” was slang for “overly strict” or “puritanical.”
Either way, these laws originally pushed people toward religious observance on Sundays. Over time, the focus shifted. Today, Maryland’s blue laws are meant to give workers a day of rest and promote public well-being. The U.S. Supreme Court actually ruled on this directly in a case involving Maryland back in 1961.
The Landmark Maryland Case
Here’s where it gets interesting. A 1961 Supreme Court case called McGowan v. Maryland put the state’s blue laws in the national spotlight.
The Court ruled that Maryland’s Sunday restrictions were constitutional. The justices said the laws no longer existed just to promote Christianity. They now served a “secular” purpose: giving everyone a shared day of rest. That ruling still stands today.
Car Dealerships: The Biggest Blue Law Still Standing
Okay, this one surprises almost everyone.
In most of Maryland, you cannot buy a car from a dealer on Sunday. The law is found in Maryland Business Regulation Code, Section 18-101. It says a new or used car dealer “may not sell, barter, deliver, give away, show, or offer for sale a motor vehicle” on Sunday.
That is a wide ban. You cannot finalize paperwork. You cannot take delivery. You cannot complete a sale.
Breaking this law is a misdemeanor. The fine can go up to $10,000 per violation. That is not a small slap on the wrist.
But there are exceptions. The ban does not apply in Howard County, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County. Dealers in those three counties can sell cars on Sunday.
In Baltimore City, a used car dealer can choose to be open on Sunday and closed on Saturday instead. They just have to tell the Motor Vehicle Administration in advance.
In Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Harford County, and Worcester County, dealers can sell motorcycles on Sundays. They just cannot sell regular cars.
So if you live in Frederick County, Carroll County, or most other parts of the state, do not plan a Sunday car-shopping trip. The dealership cannot legally complete the sale.
Sunday Alcohol Sales: A County-by-County Mess
Wondering why liquor stores in some counties are open on Sunday but not in others? You are not alone. This confuses a lot of people.
Maryland gives its counties wide authority to set their own alcohol rules. The result is a patchwork system that varies dramatically depending on where you are.
Baltimore City and Baltimore County have historically restricted Sunday off-premise alcohol sales. Baltimore City does allow liquor stores to sell on Sundays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, but only with a special supplementary license paid before October 1 each year.
Garrett County prohibits Sunday alcohol sales entirely in most cases. Same story in parts of other counties. Some allow Sunday sales only after certain hours, like noon or 1 p.m.
Montgomery County is more permissive. Retail alcohol sales are allowed on Sundays. But remember: Montgomery County operates county-owned liquor stores. You cannot just walk into a grocery store and grab a bottle of wine there.
Here is a key fact most people miss. Maryland is one of only three states in the country that bans grocery chains from selling alcohol. You cannot buy beer, wine, or spirits at a Safeway, Giant, or Walmart in most Maryland counties. That rule exists all week long, not just on Sundays.
For Sunday alcohol specifically, always check with your local county. Rules change, and penalties for selling without the right license are serious. Selling alcohol to minors in Maryland carries a fine between $1,000 and $2,500.
Professional Sports and the 1 p.m. Rule
Hold on, this part is important.
Maryland law says professional sports teams cannot start playing games before 1 p.m. on Sundays. That is unless a local law or ordinance specifically allows it.
This means the Baltimore Ravens, the Baltimore Orioles, and other pro teams are subject to this Sunday start time rule. Nationally televised games sometimes require exceptions. Local jurisdictions can pass ordinances allowing earlier start times. But the default rule is no professional sports before 1 p.m. on Sundays.
Most people have never heard of this one. It is still on the books.
The “Day of Rest” Retail Protections
Here is something useful for business owners and tenants.
Maryland Business Regulation Code Section 18-101 also protects merchants from being forced to open on Sundays. Landlords cannot require store owners to be open on Sunday as part of a lease agreement. A landlord also cannot cancel or refuse to renew a lease just because a merchant chooses to stay closed on Sunday.
This part of the blue law still matters in shopping center leases today. Honestly, it is the part most business owners never know about until it comes up in a contract dispute.
What About General Retail?
Here is some good news. Most general retail stores in Maryland can open on Sundays without any restriction.
The broad Sunday closing laws that once shut down department stores and shops across the state were mostly repealed by 1987. Maryland’s General Assembly passed a major reform that year. It cleared away the old county-by-county retail closure rules for most of the state.
One exception: Wicomico County has its own rules. The statewide Section 18-101 does not apply there. Wicomico follows its own local ordinances.
Penalties for Violating Maryland Blue Laws
Pretty straightforward once you know the breakdown.
Selling a car at a dealership on a prohibited Sunday: misdemeanor, fine up to $10,000.
Alcohol violations vary. Selling without the proper Sunday license or selling during prohibited hours can result in license suspension or revocation. Fines for selling alcohol to minors run $1,000 to $2,500.
Violating the professional sports start time rule falls under local ordinance enforcement. Consequences depend on local jurisdiction.
Think of blue law penalties like this: they are not usually criminal charges, but they can be costly. And for businesses, losing a license is far more damaging than any single fine.
Special Circumstances Worth Knowing
A few situations do not fit neatly into the basic rules.
Camping trailers and mobile homes are treated differently than cars in Anne Arundel County. Dealers there can sell those on Sundays even when regular car sales are banned.
Pawnbrokers in Baltimore City face their own Sunday restriction. Local city code still prohibits pawnshop business on Sundays. That rule survived even after most other Baltimore City blue laws were repealed in 1999.
Holiday Sundays sometimes trigger different alcohol rules. Baltimore City allows special off-premise Sunday sales on Sundays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Some other counties have similar holiday exceptions.
Dry towns also exist within Maryland. The town of Washington Grove, for example, is completely dry. No alcohol sales at any time, any day.
How to Stay Compliant
If you are a business owner or just a curious consumer, here is what you need to do.
First, identify your county. Blue laws in Maryland are heavily localized. What applies in Anne Arundel may not apply in Allegany. Do not assume.
Second, check the Maryland Business Regulation Code, Title 18. That is the official home of the state’s Sunday blue laws. It is available online at the Maryland General Assembly website.
Third, if you sell alcohol, contact your county’s alcohol licensing board directly. Sunday hours, special permits, and holiday exceptions vary too much to guess about.
Fourth, if you run a car dealership or are buying a car, know your county’s status. Call the dealership ahead of time if you are planning a Sunday visit.
Stay with me here: when in doubt, a quick call to a local attorney familiar with Maryland business law can save you a lot of trouble. Blue laws may seem old-fashioned, but the fines are real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a car in Maryland on Sunday? It depends on your county. Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties allow Sunday car sales. Most other counties do not.
Are liquor stores open on Sundays in Maryland? It varies by county. Some counties allow it, some ban it entirely, and some allow it only during certain hours or with a special license. Always check your local county rules.
Did Maryland repeal most of its blue laws? The state repealed broad retail Sunday closing laws in 1987. But specific blue laws for car sales, alcohol, and professional sports start times are still in effect.
Can a landlord require my store to be open on Sunday? No. Maryland law protects merchants from being forced to open on Sundays. A landlord cannot cancel your lease for staying closed on Sunday.
What is the fine for a car dealer selling on a prohibited Sunday? Up to $10,000. It is classified as a misdemeanor under Maryland law.
Final Thoughts
Maryland’s blue laws are older than most of the buildings in the state. But several of them are very much alive in 2026.
The car dealership ban catches people off guard constantly. The county-by-county alcohol rules create genuine confusion every weekend. And the professional sports start time rule is something almost nobody knows about.
Now you do. Check your county, know the rules, and when a deal seems too easy to close on a Sunday, double-check whether the law allows it.
When in doubt, look it up or ask a lawyer.
References
- Maryland Business Regulation Code § 18-101 – Sunday Blue Laws (State Sunday Blue Laws): https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/business-regulation/title-18/subtitle-1/section-18-101/
- Maryland General Assembly – Blue Laws Subject Index (2025 Session): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/SubjectIndex/bluel?ys=2025RS
- Wikipedia – Blue Laws in the United States (Maryland Section): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_laws_in_the_United_States
- Stuart D. Kaplow, P.A. – Vestiges of Blue Laws Prohibit Landlords from Requiring Merchants to Open on Sundays: https://stuartkaplow.com/legal-library/real-estate-law/vestiges-blue-laws-prohibit-landlords-requiring-merchants-open-sundays/
- World Population Review – Blue Laws by State 2026: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/blue-laws-by-state
