The Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department (“ARA”) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance amending Chapter 45 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances (“Code”) relating to the operation of micromobility devices and Chapter 26 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances relating to parking of scooters.
Chapter 551 of the Texas Transportation Code sets forth certain limitations and restrictions on the operation of motor-assisted scooters. Chapter 551 authorizes the governing body of a municipality to restrict the operation of a motor-assisted scooter if the governing body finds it is necessary in the interest of public safety.
The City of Houston has received numerous complaints from residents and businesses about motorized scooters creating traffic congestion, obstructing public walkways, and creating hazards for pedestrians, particularly in and around Discovery Green and Houston’s Central Business District. Targeted enforcement efforts by HPD and ARA from 2021 – 2025 have resulted in:
- Seizure of 129 scooters
- Impoundment of 74 scooters
- 53 vendor warnings
- 13 vendor citations
- 3,016 rider warnings
- 51 rider citations
- 5 guns seized
- 8 arrests
The proposed ordinance will amend the City’s Traffic Ordinance (Chapter 45 of the Code of Ordinances) to make it unlawful to operate or make available for rent a micromobility device or ATV on any public right-of-way from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. The curfew hours are based on data from the Houston Fire Department which shows that 78% of EMS calls related to micromobility incidents downtown occurred between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Specifically, amendments to Chapter 45 include:
· Add article XIV. Micromobility Devices and Off-Highway Vehicles
o Section 45-341 Operation of micromobility device, off-highway vehicles prohibited at certain times.
- Adopt a curfew for these devices and vehicles from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., citywide.
- Prohibit the rental of these devices and vehicles from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., citywide.
- Prohibit the rental of these devices and vehicles from temporary structures, citywide, at any time.
- Exempt personally owned vehicles from the curfew when used for certain commuting purposes.
o Section 45-342 Offense; penalty. Creates an offense for violation of the provision.
o Section 45-343 Micromobility device impoundment and removal.
- Authorizes HPD and ARA to coordinate for the impoundment of micromobility devices, whether parked or in operation, in violation of the ordinance.
- Adopts a fee for impoundment of micromobility devices.
- Adopts a hearing process for scooter owners.
Amendment to Chapter 26 includes:
· Section 26-102 Standing and parking of motor assisted scooters.
o Updated to include impoundment fee on the City Fee Schedule.
Departmental Approval Authority:
_______________________________________
Tina Paez, Director
Administration & Regulatory
Affairs Department