Sec. 31-74. E-scooter operation and parking requirements.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 31-74 (2026)
Sec. 31-74. E-scooter operation and parking requirements.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Minimum age. A person under the age of 14 must not operate an e-scooter.
(b)
Maximum speed. A person must not operate an e-scooter at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour.
(c)
Reflectors required.
(1)
Every e-scooter operating in the County must have:
(A)
a lamp on the front that emits a white light visible from at least 500 feet to the front; and
(B)
a red reflector on the rear visible from all distances from 600 feet to 100 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
(2)
In addition to, or instead of, the reflector required in subsection (c)(1)(B), an e-scooter may have a functioning lamp that acts as a reflector and emits a red light or a flashing amber light visible from at least 500 feet to the rear.
(d)
Parking requirements.
(1)
An e-scooter must be parked in a standing upright position.
(2)
Unless otherwise prohibited by law that specifically prohibits parking on a sidewalk, a person may park an e-scooter:
(A)
in the street buffer zone, which is located between the sidewalk and curb;
(B)
in the frontage zone, which is located between the sidewalk and right-of-way line;
(C)
in the curbside zone, which is located on-street, if:
(i)
corrals or demarcated spaces are available; or
(ii)
if there is no sidewalk or street buffer zone
(D)
on a residential street that permits on-street parking; and
(E)
in a designated location as determined by the Director of the Department of Transportation.
(3)
A person must not park an e-scooter:
(A)
on a sidewalk that is 5 feet in width or narrower;
(B)
in a driveway without the permission of the owner of the driveway;
(C)
in an area reserved for sidewalk dining;
(D)
in a transit zone, including bus stops, shelters, and passenger-waiting areas, except at designated areas within a transit zone, as determined by the Director;
(E)
in a loading zone;
(F)
in a parking zone dedicated to accessible parking;
(G)
in a bicycle lane;
(H)
in a manner that impedes access to a doorway, gate, or other entrance or exit;
(I)
in a manner that reduces the pedestrian zone to less than 4 feet or that otherwise prohibits the free flow of pedestrian traffic; or
(J)
in a manner that interferes with places of access for persons with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.