Virginia Beach, VA Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- No-ride zone
- Arctic Ave to 42nd St resort core
- Rental scooters
- Franchise license required to operate
- Citywide speed cap
- 25 mph on any street
- Penalty
- Traffic infraction, fine up to $200
Summary
Virginia Beach requires a nonexclusive city franchise license before any company can offer motorized scooters for hire, and bans riding rental scooters in the Rudee Loop resort core unless the unit is company-owned or licensee-operated.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motorized scooter in the area bounded by the east side of Arctic Avenue on the west, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Rudee Loop to the south, and the north side of 42nd Street to the north, unless the motorized scooters is rented from a fixed business location or owned by its operator or a licensee as set forth in section 7-58.2. ... No person or entity may offer motorized scooters ... for hire unless the person or entity has a city license, the issuance of which shall be in response to a nonexclusive franchise solicitation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 7-58.2 bars any company from putting motorized scooters, skateboards, or electric power-assisted bicycles out for hire in Virginia Beach without a city license, granted only through a nonexclusive franchise solicitation. § 7-58.1 layers a resort-area no-ride zone on top: scooters can't be operated in the area bounded by Arctic Avenue, the Atlantic Ocean, Rudee Loop, and 42nd Street unless the scooter is rented from a fixed business location or owned by its operator or a franchised licensee. A separate citywide rule caps scooter speed at 25 mph on any street. Together the two sections keep dockless rental fleets under a single city-awarded franchise rather than allowing open competition.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 7-58.1 or § 7-58.2, like most Chapter 7 offenses, is a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of up to $200 under § 7-2's general chapter penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride my own scooter through the resort no-ride zone?
How does a company get permission to run a scooter-share fleet here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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