Howard County, MD Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit cap
- No more than two permits issued per year
- Service area
- Columbia Planning Area rights-of-way only
- Permit term
- One year, non-renewable, may reapply
- Rider age limit
- Under 18 barred from scooter access
- Max fine
- $1,000.00 per misdemeanor conviction
- CA pathways
- Requires separate Columbia Association approval
Summary
Howard County limits publicly accessible electric scooter sharing to a permitted pilot confined to the Columbia Planning Area, capping the County at two operator permits per year under the Pilot Howard County Scooter Sharing System Act. Permits run one year, cannot be renewed, and riders under 18 are barred entirely.
(a)Permit Authority. There is a publicly accessible electric scooter sharing system permit in Howard County within the Columbia Planning Area. A permit is required when a person operates a publicly accessible electric scooter sharing system within the public rights-of-way. (b)Maximum Number of Permits Issued. The County shall issue no more than two permits per year. ... (b)Alternatively, and in addition to and concurrent with all other remedies, the County may enforce the provisions of this subtitle or the permit with civil penalties in accordance with title 24 of this Code. A violation of this subtitle is a Class C offense as provided in section 24.107 of this Code. Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. Each scooter that fails to comply with the permit is a separate violation. (c)A person who violates any provision of this subtitle or the permit is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine which shall not exceed $1,000.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 800 creates the permit and states that a publicly accessible electric scooter sharing system may operate only within the Columbia Planning Area's public rights-of-way, and the County shall issue no more than two permits per year. 2 as an electric low-speed scooter and is treated as a bicycle wherever that term appears in the County Code. Sec. 801 requires applicants to submit their legal and trade names, proof of insurance, a bond, and evidence of good standing and operating capacity. Sec. 802 requires the permit itself to designate the operating and parking zones within the Columbia Planning Area, a speed-regulating device, an annual fee set by Council Resolution (Sec.
803), bonding, data reporting, minimum and maximum fleet size, revocation grounds, and written approval from the Columbia Association before operating on CA pathways; riders under 18 are barred from access to a scooter, and the Multimodal Transportation Board must review the permit's operating zones at a public hearing each year before it issues. Sec. 804 sets the permit term at one year with no renewal, though a holder may reapply for a new permit. Sec. 805A lets the Administrator of the Office of Transportation deny, suspend, or revoke a permit for false statements, disqualifying convictions, or obstruction of the right-of-way, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing with counsel.
Sec. 808 requires an annual report to the County Executive and Council on complaints, accidents, and program cost, due within eight months of the first permit's issuance.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 21.806 makes a violation of the subtitle or the permit a Class C offense under Sec. 24.107, with each day of continued violation and each noncompliant scooter treated as a separate offense, enforceable by civil penalty or by an action for injunction. A person who violates any provision is also guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, faces a fine that shall not exceed $1,000.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can shared electric scooters legally operate in Howard County?
How many scooter-sharing companies can operate at once?
Can minors ride a shared scooter in Howard County?
What happens if a permit holder violates the scooter rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
Compare Howard County to another location·View the Maryland mobility & curb rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.