Birmingham, AL Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)

Chapter 22, 'Shared Micromobility Device Systems,' makes it unlawful under Section 12-22-4(1) for a system operator to provide or operate a shared scooter or e-bike program in the city without first obtaining a system permit granted by ordinance of the city council, plus any required business license. Applicants apply between April 1 and June 30 each year with a $500.00 application fee, a proposed service area, fleet size, and pricing plan; an initial fleet must run 100 to 500 devices, and the operator pays the city an annual $20.00-per-device administrative fee.

Section 12-22-6(b)(3) lists the no-parking zones that apply throughout the service area: within or immediately adjacent to ADA curb ramps and signal push buttons, sidewalk cafes, transit stops and bus layover zones, on-street parking spots, loading zones, disabled parking spaces, driveways, crosswalks, travel and bicycle lanes, and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, drinking fountain, or fixed regulatory sign. Devices obstructing traffic, or left in one spot more than 72 consecutive hours, may be ticketed and impounded by police or other city personnel, and the operator must pay up to $50.00 to reclaim each unit under Section 12-22-6(b)(9)-(10).

Scooters and electric-assist bikes are capped at 20 miles per hour on a level paved surface, and under Section 12-22-6(c)(20) every shared device except a plain bicycle must be disabled for public use between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., a window the city may adjust. The director can also designate geofenced no-go or must-park zones the operator's app has to enforce.