Ocean City Church Faces Zoning Violation Notice Over Homeless Shelter

The conflict between the Town of Ocean City and St. Paul’s By-the-Sea has escalated as the church continues to shelter homeless individuals on its property. The dispute centers on a zoning violation notice issued by the town, which claims the church’s use of Dewees Hall for overnight occupancy violates local regulations.

St. Paul’s By-the-Sea, situated at 302 N. Baltimore Avenue, has long provided temporary shelter for the homeless. Initially, the church offered outdoor shelters, but in recent months, it has moved individuals into Dewees Hall, a 2,960-square-foot Assembly Hall on its premises. The space has been adapted to accommodate sleeping arrangements and communal living.

On May 8, 2026, George Bendler, the town’s Planning and Community Development Director, issued a formal letter to Pastor Jill Williams and Senior Warden Dan Harris. The letter outlined that the use of Dewees Hall for overnight stays and sleeping arrangements contravened the R-3 General Residential Zoning District regulations. The town described the setup as resembling barracks-style housing, which is not permitted under current zoning laws.

The town provided the church with a deadline of June 8, 2026, by 9:00 a.m., to cease the activity or face municipal infractions. Each day of non-compliance would be treated as a separate offense, according to the notice.

St. Paul’s By-the-Sea has refused to comply. Attorney Robin R. Cockey of Cockey Brennan and Maloney P.C. responded on May 12, 2026, asserting that the church has no intention of removing the homeless individuals from its property. Cockey emphasized that providing shelter aligns with the social gospel principles of the Episcopal Church, to which St. Paul’s belongs.

The attorney also stated the church would not pay any fines, citing the free exercise clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act as legal protections. Cockey warned the town that if it disagreed, legal action would be initiated in Federal Court to seek declaratory and injunctive relief.

This standoff highlights the tension between local zoning laws and the church’s commitment to serving the community. As the June 8 deadline approaches, the outcome remains uncertain, with the town facing a difficult decision on how to proceed.

Source: Read the original report