Construction Site Offroading
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From: Washington DC
Construction Site Offroading
I was hoping someone here would know a little more about this.
All over my area track houses are being put up. Right now all these sites are are dirt roads with all kinds of uneven terrain, mud pits and dunes (basically these construction sites are look like offroad adventure parks).
My question is, if these sites are out in the burbs (far from other sites and homes) with no signs saying "no trespassing" or anything like that, is it illegal for me to baja through the area for a little while? Are construction sites illegal to drive through if unmarked? Or are they illegal regardless of the markings?
All over my area track houses are being put up. Right now all these sites are are dirt roads with all kinds of uneven terrain, mud pits and dunes (basically these construction sites are look like offroad adventure parks).
My question is, if these sites are out in the burbs (far from other sites and homes) with no signs saying "no trespassing" or anything like that, is it illegal for me to baja through the area for a little while? Are construction sites illegal to drive through if unmarked? Or are they illegal regardless of the markings?
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From: Right Coast
No it is not legal. Think about it. Say you were building a new house and had someone out there tearing things up causing more work for construction crews that may have to try and grade out. Just because it is not posted does not mean its legal........its still privatly owned property. Unfortunetly its people who do things like this that gets alot of bad press. I'm not saying that you're part of it, but this is the type of thing that gives ammo for people trying to shut down parks.
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From: Washington DC
Hey I wasnt tearing anything up and thats why I asked. I went by this lot that had to be about 10 - 20 acres and from the looks of things it couldnt have been more torn up by me than it was the dozers. I am not talking about a place with foundations set and level terrain, then it wouldnt be too much fun. Anyways I suppose it is still private land. But I was thinking about buying a house on that far back corner, I think I better check it out.
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From: Waldorf, Md
I love contruction sites! In maryland, there is no law that says you cannot drive through the construction site, or any private property, as long as there is no resulting damage or a disturbance of the peace. Signs have to be posted for a certain amount of time first, or someone that owns the property (or a cop) has to ask you to leave before it is trespassing. Or if I had open exhaust and was waking everyone up a 2am.
I can drive through someone's yard and be perfectly legal as long as I leave no evidence (damage). But if someone tells me to leave, I must leave
I can drive through someone's yard and be perfectly legal as long as I leave no evidence (damage). But if someone tells me to leave, I must leave
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From: Washington DC
What constitutes damage though. If you wheel through a construction site when wet and just make a few ruts in the dirt roads throughout the site can they get on you for that. I never imagined anything worse than a cop just telling you to leave.
So where else do you go in Maryland? Me and Sherm seem to be stuck.
So where else do you go in Maryland? Me and Sherm seem to be stuck.
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From: Waldorf, Md
Damage would be a specific dollar amount. Ruts in durt and such cannot be damage unless they can pin a dollar amount on it. If you tear up graded sites, then they can pin the amount of regrading. If you further tear up a torn up site, there is no dollar amount, they had to grade regardless. The cop has to specifically tell you to leave the property, if you explain to the officer that you are simply testing out your 4wd, you are not causing any d amage and you will be leaving soon, they are usually satisfied. BEsides, the cops only come when someone calls them, usually the owner. So at that point, you might as well leave. I have never been told to leave a site where I was wheeling. I haven't taken my new F150 out yet, but I have plenty of wheeling time under my belt in my 01 dakota 4x4 with 3" list. It was a mean wheeling machine! Hopefully my F150 outperforms my dak!
The only place I wheel right now is our local construction sites and ATV trails in Waldorf. Some trails and open areas are hunting land, but they don't mind us being there in the off season, but STAY AWAY during the hunting season!
The only place I wheel right now is our local construction sites and ATV trails in Waldorf. Some trails and open areas are hunting land, but they don't mind us being there in the off season, but STAY AWAY during the hunting season!
Last edited by Big SCrew; Oct 22, 2004 at 01:02 PM.
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From: Poway, SoCal
In my 03 Screw, I did it all the time. There is mucho construction out here in San Diego. I would do it mid day, when construction crews were working and all. Drive in like you own the place, shoot a few hills, spin a few 'nuts and get outta the place! I never got hasled! Been doing it for years and it has provided me with some of the best times! Myself and my friend along with his 01 Tahoe would do this alot as well. We went on a trip for business up to LA and on the way back found miles and miles of offroading in the housing development off of the 405. We did it with everyone there, no problem. It is serioulsy one of the biggest rushes! 
~Colby
~Colby
