Santa Cruz County, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCCC § 9.54.030
- Sidewalk rule
- No riding unless sidewalk is also a bikeway
- Bikeway rule
- No moped/motorized bicycle unless adjacent to roadway
- Exceptions
- No pedestrians present, or posted authorization
- Penalty
- Infraction under SCCC § 1.12.040
- Adopted
- Ord. 5451, 2024
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County bars riding a motorized scooter, e-bike, moped, or similar device on any sidewalk unless that sidewalk is also a bikeway, and bars riding on a bikeway unless it sits within or next to a roadway, under SCCC § 9.54.030. Narrow exceptions apply where no pedestrians are present or the County has posted signage authorizing sidewalk use.
Except as provided in SCCC § 9.54.040, the following restrictions shall apply to the operation of electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, mopeds, motorized scooters, and similar devices: (1) No person shall operate an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, moped, motorized scooter, or similar vehicle on any sidewalk within the County's jurisdiction, unless that sidewalk is also a bikeway. (2) No person shall operate any motorized bicycle or moped on any bikeway in the County's jurisdiction, unless that bikeway is within or adjacent to a roadway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).
Full Breakdown
010). 020(D)), which sweeps in shared or rental scooters as well as privately owned ones. 030(B), sets two restrictions: no person may operate an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, moped, motorized scooter, or similar vehicle on any sidewalk within the County's jurisdiction unless that sidewalk is also a bikeway, and no person may operate a motorized bicycle or moped on any bikeway unless the bikeway sits within or adjacent to a roadway. Subsection (A) clarifies that merely walking a dismounted scooter, pushing or carrying it, does not count as "operation" and is not restricted.
040 carves out two exceptions to the sidewalk ban: riding where no pedestrians are present and no bikeway runs along the route, and riding on sidewalks the Director of Community Development and Infrastructure has specifically authorized and posted with signage for electric bicycle use. 030 apply to any motorized scooter on County-jurisdiction sidewalks and bikeways regardless of who owns it.
Violations & Fines
Any violation of Chapter 9.54, including riding a motorized scooter on a prohibited sidewalk or bikeway, is an infraction punishable under SCCC § 1.12.040 (SCCC § 9.54.050). There is no separate misdemeanor tier for repeat scooter-location violations in this chapter, unlike the escalating penalty structure in the County's off-road-vehicle and abandoned-vehicle chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a shared/rental scooter on the sidewalk in unincorporated Santa Cruz County?
Are there any places I can legally ride a motorized scooter on a sidewalk?
What is the penalty for riding a scooter where it's prohibited in unincorporated Santa Cruz County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
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