Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 45, art. XIV — MICROMOBILITY DEVICES AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES | Houston Code of Ordinances (Supp. No. 93, Update 2: codified through Ordinance No. 2026-0732, adopted Aug. 19, 2026) — City of Houston

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-341 Operation of micromobility devices; off-highway vehicles prohibited at certain times.

Sec. 45-341. - Operation of micromobility devices; off-highway vehicles prohibited at certain times. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a micromobility device or off-highway vehicle on any public roadway, street, alley, sidewalk, trail, or city park within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. the following day, unless expressly authorized by state law. (b) It shall be unlawful for the parent or guardian of a minor to allow or permit the minor to operate a micromobility device on any public roadway, street, alley, sidewalk, trail, or city park within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. the following day. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to place, erect, operate, or maintain a temporary structure for the purpose of renting or facilitating the rental of a micromobility device within the city limits. (d) It shall be unlawful for any person to rent or offer to rent a micromobility device or an off-highway vehicle within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. the following day. (e) It is a defense to prosecution under this section if a person presents evidence of being a qualified individual with a disability pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sections 12131 and 12132). (f) The traffic engineer is authorized to install signage in high-traffic areas to provide public notice of the curfew and prohibition on micromobility devices and off-highway vehicles. (g) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., the person was: (1) Operating a micromobility device as a direct means of transportation to or from the individual's school or place of employment; (2) Operating a micromobility device when reasonably necessary to respond to a personal or family emergency, or to obtain emergency medical care or other urgent assistance; (3) Operating a micromobility device as law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical personnel, or as a city employee in the performance of official duties; or (4) Operating a micromobility device during a special event or activity expressly permitted or authorized by the city, provided such use complies with all conditions of permit authorization. The provisions of this section do not restrict a person operating or parking a micromobility devices as part of a parade or special event permitted under chapter 25 of this Code provided such use is expressly authorized in the special event or parade permit and complies with all conditions established by the director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events to ensure public safety and minimize disruption to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. (Ord. No. 2025-971, § 8, 11-19-2025)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-342 Offense; penalty.

Sec. 45-342. - Offense; penalty. (a) Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be guilty of an offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in section 1-6 of this Code. (b) Each violation of this article shall constitute and be punishable as a separate offense. (Ord. No. 2025-971, § 9, 11-19-2025)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-343 Micromobility device impoundment and removal.

Sec. 45-343. - Micromobility device impoundment and removal. (a) The city may impound all micromobility devices that are operated or parked in violation of state law, city ordinances, the motorized device curfew established in this chapter, or any other applicable provisions of this Code. (b) Every micromobility device that is impounded may be redeemed and released only upon payment of a fee as set forth in the city's fee schedule. Every micromobility device that is impounded may be redeemed and released only upon payment of removal, storage, and redemption fees established in the city's fee schedule. Such fees may be adjusted periodically by the finance department and approved by city council in accordance with applicable administrative procedures. (c) If an impounded micromobility device remains in the possession of the city for 30 calendar days following notice of impoundment, it shall become and remain the property of the city. (d) The police department may remove any micromobility devices from a public street, sidewalk, or public place when probable cause exists to believe that the micromobility device is being operated or used in violation of this chapter, including curfew violations. The administration and regulatory affairs department shall assist the police department with coordinating the removal of micromobility devices operated or used in violation of this chapter. (e) Any person whose micromobility device has been removed without the consent of the owner or operator may request a hearing to determine whether probable cause existed for the removal. Hearings under this section shall be before a municipal court judge. (f) A person who wishes to request a hearing hereunder shall deliver a written request for the hearing to the clerk of the municipal courts not later than the 14th day after the date the micromobility device was placed in a secured facility. A person who fails to deliver the request within the specified time period waives the right to the hearing. (g) The written request must contain the following information: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner and operator of the micromobility devices; (2) The date and location from which the micromobility devices was removed; (3) The name of the police officer who authorized the removal of the micromobility device; and (4) The name, address, and telephone number of the secured facility to which the micromobility device was removed. (h) Upon receipt of a complete and timely filed hearing request, the clerk of the municipal courts shall schedule a hearing to occur as soon as practicable; provided, however, all hearings conducted pursuant to this section shall be held within 21 days after the date the hearing request was received. (i) The court shall notify the owner or operator of the micromobility device and the police officer who authorized the removal of the micromobility device of the date, time, and place of the hearing. The sole issue to be determined in a hearing under this section is whether probable cause existed for the removal of the vehicle. (j) The court shall make written findings of facts and conclusions of law regarding the issues in the hearing. If the court determines that probable cause existed for the removal of the micromobility devices, the owner or operator shall pay the costs of removing and storing the device prior to the release of the micromobility device. (k) If the court determines that probable cause did not exist for the removal of the micromobility devices, the vehicle shall be ordered released without the payment of any costs for removing and storing the micromobility devices. If the owner or operator paid removal and storage costs before the hearing and the court determines that probable cause did not exist for the removal and storing of the micromobility devices, the city shall fully reimburse the owner or operator. (l) The provisions of this section shall be cumulative of all other enforcement powers granted by this chapter and available to the city. (Ord. No. 2025-971, § 10, 11-19-2025)