Duluth, MN Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)

Duluth licenses shared bike and scooter operators, called Shared Active Mobility Systems (SAMS), under Chapter 9A of the Legislative Code, defined as a business that provides shared devices for rental that the licensee designs to be parked within a device operating area. The city clerk issues a one-year SAMS license, and licenses expire December 31 regardless of issue date, so an operator must renew annually and pay per-device fees set under § 31-6(a). Equipment rules require continuously lit front and rear lights that stay on at least 60 seconds after a device stops, a unique permanent ID number, monthly inspection and maintenance, GPS tracking at all times, and a 15 mph cap on a motorized foot scooter's motor-assist speed.

m. ) or within 12 hours the rest of the time. Section 9A-9 lets police officers, parking monitors or other authorized city employees impound a device outright if it's unattended and blocking traffic or public infrastructure or otherwise compromising safety, or if it belongs to an unlicensed SAMS or is otherwise in violation of the chapter; lesser violations get a warning giving the licensee 24 hours to remove the device before it's impounded. An impounded device carries a cost-recovery impoundment fee, and the city must mail or electronically notify the owner within 72 hours; anything left unclaimed for at least 40 days may be sold at public auction.