Huntington Beach, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- Ordinance 4165, December 2018
- Scope
- Any dockless, app-based rental device
- Enforcement
- HBPD may impound violating devices
- Impound fee
- Set by City Council resolution
- Fines
- $100/$200/$500 escalating
Summary
Huntington Beach outlaws shared, app-based mobility devices entirely: Municipal Code Section 12.40.030 makes it unlawful to provide, place, or operate a shared personal mobility device, or to act as an operator, anywhere in the public right-of-way. Police can impound violating devices and charge a Council-set impound fee.
It shall be unlawful to provide, place or offer for use a shared personal mobility device, or to operate as a shared personal mobility device operator in any public right-of-way within the City. The Huntington Beach Police Department and any persons authorized by the City and having the duty to enforce this chapter are hereby authorized to impound the shared personal mobility device violating the provisions of this chapter. The impound shall be subject to an impound fee established by City Council resolution.
Full Breakdown
010 as prohibiting shared personal mobility devices to protect pedestrian circulation and safety in the public right-of-way. 020 defines a 'shared personal mobility device' as any wheeled device, electric or human-powered, accessed through an on-demand portal such as a smartphone app, access code, or ID card, and owned or managed by a private entity that rents it for shared use from unstaffed self-service locations; devices rented from a staffed building or operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority are excluded. 030(A) then makes it unlawful to provide, place, or offer for use a shared personal mobility device, or to operate as a device operator, in any public right-of-way in the City, a flat citywide ban rather than a permit or docking-zone system.
030(C) lets the Police Chief write regulations for notifying an operator and returning impounded devices. The chapter was adopted by Ordinance 4165 in December 2018, before dockless scooter companies had established a foothold in the city, and it has not been amended to permit a licensed pilot program.
Violations & Fines
Section 12.40.040 classifies any violation of Chapter 12.40 as an infraction, not a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $500 for each additional offense within a year. A continuing violation, such as an operator leaving devices in the right-of-way day after day, counts as a separate offense for each day or portion of a day it continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a shared electric scooter in Huntington Beach?
What happens to shared scooters left on Huntington Beach sidewalks?
Does Huntington Beach's scooter ban cover personally owned electric scooters?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Huntington Beach to another location·View the California mobility & curb rules overview
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