No. Squatting is illegal in Maryland, as it constitutes criminal trespass or burglary under state law. Property owners must pursue eviction through court-ordered processes, while squatters face penalties including fines or imprisonment. Local jurisdictions, such as Baltimore City’s Housing Code Enforcement, actively prosecute unauthorized occupancies under 2024-2026 enforcement priorities targeting vacant property exploitation.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Maryland
- Criminal Trespass (Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 6-402): Unauthorized entry onto posted or enclosed property is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days imprisonment and/or a $500 fine. Repeat offenses escalate to felony charges under § 6-403.
- Burglary (Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 6-202): Entering a dwelling with intent to commit a crime—including squatting—carries penalties up to 20 years imprisonment, regardless of damage or theft. Courts scrutinize “color of title” claims under recent 2025 appellate rulings.
- Eviction Protections (Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-401): Landlords must obtain a court order via detinue or unlawful detainer actions; self-help evictions (e.g., changing locks) are prohibited and subject to treble damages under § 8-404. The Maryland Judiciary’s 2026 procedural reforms streamline these filings for expedited removal.