Cincinnati, OH Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)

Under Cincinnati Municipal Code Chapter 811, "No person shall engage in the business of e-scooter rental or sharing services to the public within the city unless that person has obtained a franchise from the city to engage in such a business" (Sec. 811-1(d)). Operating without one is unlawful: Sec. " Applicants submit a sworn application to the city manager covering company ownership, prior e-scooter operations in up to ten other communities, felony and recent misdemeanor records, civil penalties over $5,000 in the last five years, fleet inventory, and a rate chart (Sec.

811-5(d)). New applications are due at least 60 days before service begins; renewals at least 30 days before expiration. 25 per e-scooter activation, submitted within five business days of month-end (Sec. 811-7(a)-(c)). Late payments draw an 18% annual interest charge plus an administrative fee equal to 6% of the amount owed or $15, whichever is greater. Franchisees must carry $1,000,000/$2,000,000 general liability coverage, $1,000,000 auto liability, workers' compensation, and post a bond equal to 20% of the prior quarter's gross revenue (minimum $50,000 for new franchisees), conforming to CMC Chapter 304.

Sec. 811-9(a) authorizes the city manager to issue operating rules covering, among other things, "Restrictions on parking in the city right-of-way," "Restrictions on fleet size," and "Curfew restrictions and boundaries for permanent and temporary restricted areas of operation", the mechanism the city uses to designate no-ride and no-parking zones. The city manager may suspend or revoke a franchise for code or agreement violations, unpaid fees, or a franchisee's unfitness (Sec. 811-11), with the franchisee entitled to notice and a hearing, then an appeal to the office of administrative hearings within 15 days under CMC Chapter 1501 (Sec. 811-13).