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

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Columbus City Codes § 2105.28
Regulator
Director, Dept. of Public Service
Devices covered
E-scooters, e-bikes, bicycles
Enacted
Ord. No. 2053-2023, eff. 7-31-2023

Summary

Columbus lets the Director of Public Service license and regulate shared e-scooter, e-bike and bike-share vendors by rule, covering how devices operate on city streets and vendor permit fees.

The director of the department of public service is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of shared mobility devices within the City of Columbus, including, but not limited to, e-scooters, e-bicycles and bicycles, as well as shared mobility device vendors. Such rules and regulations shall establish procedures for the operation of shared mobility devices, shared mobility device vendors and permit fees, and shall be promulgated according to Section 2105.03.

Source: Columbus Shared Mobility ProgramView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 | Form Based Code: ?).

Full Breakdown

Columbus City Codes § 2105.28 hands scooter regulation to the Director of the Department of Public Service rather than spelling out ride rules in the code itself. The Director writes and enforces the rules and regulations governing shared mobility devices, e-scooters, e-bikes and bicycles, plus the vendors (defined at § 2101.59) that place them in the public right-of-way, and sets the permit fees vendors pay. Those administrative rules, not the code text, control where devices may be ridden or parked and how many vendors can operate; contact the Department of Public Service for the current rules and permit terms.

Violations & Fines

Vendors operating without the Director's rules-based permit, or violating conditions set under § 2105.28, risk permit denial, suspension, or removal of devices from the public right-of-way by the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Columbus have a specific shared scooter ordinance?
Yes. City Code § 2105.28 lets the Director of Public Service regulate shared mobility devices like e-scooters and e-bikes, but the specific ride rules and no-parking zones are set in the Director's administrative rules, not the code itself.
Who regulates scooter vendors like Lime or Bird in Columbus?
The Director of the Department of Public Service, who is authorized under § 2105.28 to set rules for shared mobility device vendors, including permit fees and operating procedures.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbus

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsRed-Light CamerasSome RestrictionsBike Lane RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Columbus rules

Compare Columbus to another location·View the Ohio mobility & curb rules overview

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