Dockless Mobility Systems.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 101-53
in effect101-53. Dockless Mobility Systems.
1. DEFINITIONS.
a.
“Dockless mobility system” means a system of self-service mobility devices, made available for shared use to individuals on a short-term basis, which may be rented through a smart-phone app, vendor website, vendor customer service number, or a pre-paid PIN and which do not require structures at permanent, fixed locations where rides must begin and end.
b.
“Mobility device” means a vehicle, whether motorized or not, including a bicycle, a scooter, a skateboard, or any other micro-mobility vehicle which is exempt from state registration under ch. 341, Wis. Stats.
c.
“Operator” means any person who owns, leases, offers to rent, collects, distributes, repairs, services, charges or otherwise controls a dockless mobility system.
d. “Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership or association acting in a fiduciary capacity.
2. PROHIBITED. No person may operate a dockless mobility system in the city upon the highway including public streets and sidewalks.
3. EXCEPTION. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the operation of a dockless mobility system shall be permitted if the operator participates in the dockless mobility system program administered by the department of public works pursuant to common council file number 231648. Participation in the dockless mobility system program may only occur upon application and approval of the department of public works.
4. REMOVAL OF DOCKLESS MOBILITY DEVICES. If the chief of police or commissioner of public works finds on any alley, street, highway or public place within the city, any dockless mobility device belonging to an operator who is in violation of this section, or in violation of the requirements of the dockless mobility system program administered by the department of public works pursuant to common council file number 231648, including, but not limited to, improper parking of a mobility device, the chief, the commissioner or other authorized agent of the city may have the dockless mobility device immediately removed to a suitable place of impoundment. If the operator can be identified, a notice informing the operator of the location of the dockless mobility device and the procedure for reclaiming the dockless mobility device, shall be sent to the operator’s corporate headquarters within 24 hours after removal.
5. PERIOD OF IMPOUNDMENT. Upon impoundment, a dockless mobility device shall be held a minimum of 30 days unless earlier redeemed by the owner or owner’s representative upon payment of the redemption fee provided in s. 81-43.7.
6. DISPOSITION OF UNREDEEMED DOCKLESS MOBILITY DEVICES. The commissioner of public works may dispose of impounded dockless mobility devices that are not redeemed within 30 days in any of the following ways:
a. Public auction or sale.
b. Donation to a suitable nonprofit organization for charitable, educational or other eleemosynary purposes.
c. Scrapping a dockless mobility device that cannot be disposed of through any other reasonable means.
7. OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS. The owner of any dockless mobility device removed under this provision shall be responsible for all costs of impounding and disposing of the dockless mobility device. Costs not recovered from the sale of the dockless mobility device may be recovered in a civil action by the city against the operator. The city assumes no responsibility for damage to dockless mobility devices impounded under this section.
8. PENALTY. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $500 per day for each dockless mobility device operated or parked upon the highway including public streets and sidewalks. For each second or subsequent conviction, the forfeiture shall be not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH101.pdf#page=44Fetched: 10/26/2026