Mobility & Curb Rules in Howard County, MD (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Shared E-Scooter Rules

Howard County limits publicly accessible electric scooter sharing to a permitted pilot confined to the Columbia Planning Area, capping the County at two operator permits per year under the Pilot Howard County Scooter Sharing System Act. Permits run one year, cannot be renewed, and riders under 18 are barred entirely.

Electric Scooter Sharing Permits in Howard County

Significant Restrictions

Howard County Code §§ 21.800(a)-(b), 21.806(b)-(c)

(a)Permit Authority. There is a publicly accessible electric scooter sharing system permit in Howard County within the Columbia Planning Area. A permit is required when a person operates a publicly accessible electric scooter sharing system within the public rights-of-way. (b)Maximum Number of Permits Issued. The County shall issue no more than two permits per year. ... (b)Alternatively, and in...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Bike Lane Rules

Howard County defines a bike lane as any roadway or shoulder marked by a traffic control device for exclusive or preferential bicycle use, and Code § 21.221(a)(20) bans stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle there. A 2020 amendment added bike lanes to the list of 20 no-parking locations, and § 21.221(b) lets the Police Department impound a vehicle left in one instead of only issuing a citation.

Parking in a Howard County Bike Lane Is Illegal

Some Restrictions

Howard County Code § 21.101(b-1); § 21.221(a)(20), (b)

Bike Lane shall mean any portion of a roadway or shoulder designated for single directional bicycle flow and that has been designated for preferential or exclusive use by bicyclists by a traffic control device. ... Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or directions of a Police Officer or traffic control device, an individual may not stop, stand, ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Red-Light Cameras

Howard County runs no intersection red-light camera program under its County Code. Instead, Title 21 authorizes the Department of Police to use speed monitoring cameras only inside posted school zones and to run school bus stop-arm cameras countywide, both enforced through civil citations rather than criminal traffic stops.

School Zone & Bus Photo Enforcement in Howard County

Some Restrictions

Howard County Code §§ 21.601(a), 21.700(b)-(d)

(a)In accordance with section 21-809 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Howard County Department of Police may: (1)Use speed monitoring systems for the purpose of determining the speed of a vehicle traveling within a designated school zone; and (2)Issue civil citations to vehicle owners based upon the speed recorded by the recorded image of the speed monitoring...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Howard County ordinances

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