Baltimore County, MD Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Baltimore County Code Section 18-2-605
- Ban scope
- Public roads, highways, and sidewalks
- First violation
- Civil penalty up to $100
- Third+ violation
- Civil penalty up to $500
- Retailer duty
- Post 24-by-30-inch warning signs
- Excludes
- Mopeds, motorcycles, minibikes
Summary
Baltimore County Code Section 18-2-605 makes it unlawful to operate a motorized scooter, including go-peds and other stand-up platform models, on any public road, highway, or sidewalk in the county. Retailers must post 24-by-30-inch warning signs, and riders face escalating civil penalties up to $500 for repeat violations.
(b)Prohibition. A person may not operate a motorized scooter on any public road, highway or sidewalk in the county.(c)Notice.(1)The owner or operator of a retail store or other business that sells motorized scooters shall place in conspicuous locations signs that state that it is unlawful to operate a motorized scooter on any public road, highway or sidewalk in the county.(2)Each sign shall be at least 24 inches high and 30 inches wide and clearly visible to the public.(d)Penalty. A person who violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100 for the first violation, not more than $250 for a second violation, and not more than $500 for a third and succeeding violations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29 | Zoning Regulations: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
Section 18-2-605 defines a 'motorized scooter' as any two-wheeled device with handlebars, designed to be stood on by the operator, and powered by an electric or gas motor, expressly including go-peds, while excluding mopeds, motorcycles, and minibikes as those are separately defined elsewhere in state and county law. Subsection (b) then bars operating one of these devices on any public road, highway, or sidewalk in Baltimore County, a flat countywide no-ride rule with no zone-by-zone carve-out. To make sure buyers know the rule, subsection (c) requires any retail store or business that sells motorized scooters to post signs, at least 24 inches high and 30 inches wide, in conspicuous locations stating that operating one on a public road, highway, or sidewalk is unlawful.
The prohibition traces to 1988 Code Section 21-4 and was updated by Bill No. 36-05 in 2005 to add the current civil penalty structure. Because the ban applies to sidewalks as well as roads, it leaves essentially no lawful public right-of-way in the county for motorized scooter use, unlike jurisdictions that permit them on streets or in bike lanes with speed limits.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of Section 18-2-605(b) carries a civil penalty of not more than $100. A second violation raises the penalty to not more than $250, and a third or any later violation raises it to not more than $500 under subsection (d). Retailers who fail to post the required 24-by-30-inch warning signs under subsection (c) can separately be cited for noncompliance with the notice requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ever legal to ride an electric scooter in Baltimore County?
How much is the fine for riding one?
Do stores that sell scooters have any legal duty here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baltimore County
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