Mobility & Curb Rules in Chesapeake, VA

If you live in Chesapeake or are thinking about moving there, mobility & curb rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Chesapeake has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of mobility & curb rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Shared E-Scooter Rules

Any company offering e-scooters, e-bikes, or other shareable mobility devices for hire in Chesapeake must hold a shareable mobility device license issued by the city's licensing official before operating. The licensing official cannot issue that license until city council first approves a franchise agreement covering rights-of-way use, service area, sidewalk access, speed limits, insurance, and fees.

Key details: License required: Yes, from the licensing official. Prerequisite: City council franchise agreement. Sidewalk riding: Only where license authorizes it. Unlicensed operation penalty: Class 4 misdemeanor, up to $250. Appeal window: 30 days to city manager.

Offering shareable devices for hire without a license is a violation of Article X punishable under Sec. 74-354 as a class 4 misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $250 under the city's general penalty schedule, Sec. 1-10. The licensing official can also suspend or revoke a license administratively at any time for franchise or law violations, without a court conviction. A licensee has 30 days from notice to appeal in writing to the city manager, who must hold a hearing within 90 days; the city manager's decision is final and unappealable.

This is one of the stricter rules in Chesapeake's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Red-Light Cameras

Chesapeake authorizes photo-monitoring systems at signalized intersections under Sec. 74-193, imposing a civil monetary penalty, not a criminal conviction, on the registered owner whose vehicle runs a red light on camera. The city must post signs within 500 feet of every monitored intersection, and the registered owner can rebut liability by affidavit or testimony that someone else was driving.

Key details: Signage requirement: Conspicuous signs within 500 feet of intersection. Rebuttal window: Affidavit or court testimony before return date. Inspection period: 60 business days to review recorded images. Record impact: Not a conviction; not on operator's record. Governing state code: Va. Code §§ 46.2-833, -835, -836.

A photo-enforced red light violation carries a civil monetary penalty capped by reference to Virginia Code § 15.2-968.1, not a criminal fine, and does not go on the driver's operating record or affect insurance rates. An owner who ignores the mailed summons and fails to respond within the notice period has the summons executed under Virginia Code § 19.2-76.3, but no contempt or arrest proceeding follows solely from a missed return date on a mailed citation.

The Bottom Line

Chesapeake's mobility & curb rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Chesapeake is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Chesapeake's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.