Earlier editions: 2026-07
Title 9 — Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
Buellton Municipal Code Ch. 9.32 Electric Scooters
Buellton Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Buellton
Cite as: Buellton Municipal Code Chapter 9.32 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 9.32.010. Findings.¶
The city council finds that the prohibition of shared on-demand personal mobility devices within the city will help to ensure that the use of the public right-of-way, at all times, promotes the public health, safety and welfare and allows for adequate vehicle and pedestrian circulation.
(Ord. 20-02 § 2, 2020)
§ 9.32.020. Definitions.¶
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
"Electric scooter"
means any wheeled device that has handlebars and is designed to be either powered by an electric motor or other power source, or to be powered by human propulsion, that is accessed via an on-demand portal, whether through a smart-phone, access code, I.D. card, or similar method, and is operated by a private entity that owns, manages, maintains and insures devices for shared use by members, which are available to members in unstaffed, self-service locations.
"Electric scooter operator"
means an individual or a public, private, or nonprofit entity that manages electric scooters.
(Ord. 20-02 § 2, 2020)
§ 9.32.030. Prohibition.¶
It shall be unlawful to provide, place or offer for use or to use an electric scooter, or to operate as an electric scooter operator in any street or public right-of-way, or other public place within the city in which the public has the right of travel.
A. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department and any persons authorized by the city and having the duty to enforce this code are hereby authorized to impound the electric scooters of any person or electric scooter operator violating the provisions of this chapter. The impound shall be subject to an impound fee established by city council resolution.
B. The city manager may promulgate regulations for the notification to the operator and return of the electric scooters to the operator and as may otherwise be necessary to implement the purpose of this chapter. Any device not retrieved within 90 days of notice shall be subject to disposal.
| The foregoing shall not be deemed to make unlawful the retail sale of electric scooters intended for ownership by individuals by retail businesses located in the city. It shall not be deemed to make unlawful the retail purchase, whether from retail businesses with physical locations or from on-line retailers, or the use of individually-owned electric scooters. Only electric scooters and electric scooter operators, as specifically defined above, are prohibited within the city. |
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(Ord. 20-02 § 2, 2020)
§ 9.32.040. Violations.¶
A. It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this chapter. Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction or misdemeanor as hereinafter specified.
B. Any person so convicted shall be:
Guilty of an infraction offense and punished by a fine of $100 for a first violation;
Guilty of an infraction offense and punished by a fine of $200 for a second violation within one year;
The third and any additional violations within one year shall constitute a misdemeanor offense and shall be punishable by a fine of $1,000 or six months in jail, or both.
(Ord. 20-02 § 2, 2020)
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