Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Maryland?
Dumpster Diving is legal with restrictions in Maryland as of 2026. Maryland does not have specific dumpster diving laws, but criminal trespass is prohibited under Md. Code, Criminal Law §6-403. Accessing dumpsters on private property without permission may be illegal.
Dumpster Diving is LEGAL WITH RESTRICTIONS in Maryland
Dumpster Diving is legal in Maryland but with specific restrictions and regulations.
Dumpster Diving Laws in Maryland: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Dumpster Diving is currently legal with restrictions in Maryland.
- 2 Possession: Possession is lawful if items are taken from public property or with consent; otherwise, may be trespassing.
- 3 Sale: No specific restrictions on sale of found items; selling stolen property is illegal under Md. Code, Criminal Law §7-104.
- 4 Age Restriction: None
- 5 Penalties: Trespassing is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 90 days.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Possession is lawful if items are taken from public property or with consent; otherwise, may be trespassing. |
| Sale | No specific restrictions on sale of found items; selling stolen property is illegal under Md. Code, Criminal Law §7-104. |
| Age Restriction | None |
| Penalties | Trespassing is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 90 days. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does Maryland Compare?
Across all 50 states, Dumpster Diving is fully legal in 1 states, legal with restrictions in 49 states, and illegal in 0 states. Maryland is among the 49 states where it is legal with restrictions.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: Maryland Code, Criminal Law §6-403
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr§ion=6-403
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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