Houston will soon see quieter streets after dark. On Wednesday, Nov. 19, the Houston City Council voted unanimously to enact new rules restricting when e-scooters and certain off-highway vehicles can operate within city limits — a move officials say is aimed squarely at reducing late-night injuries and improving public safety.

Under the newly approved ordinance, the rental and operation of micromobility devices — including e-scooters, hoverboards, electric skateboards, and electric roller skates — will be prohibited daily between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. The same curfew also applies to off-highway vehicles such as ATVs, which are already heavily regulated under state law. The rules extend to all Houston roadways, alleys, sidewalks, trails, and city parks.

The ordinance also bars vendors from renting scooters out of temporary structures such as tents or pop-up stands — a growing practice in entertainment districts.

“We have heard the concerns of residents and business owners,” Mayor John Whitmire said after the vote. “Everyone should be able to walk our streets, dine in our restaurants, and visit our hotels and other venues without someone recklessly joyriding around them. This ordinance is a necessary step to improve public safety and walkability for everyone.”

City Council passed the measure 13-0, with four members absent. A council committee will revisit the issue in December to gather community and stakeholder feedback on the ordinance’s early impact.

Why the Curfew? Data and Complaints Push the City to Act

City departments pointed to several years of troubling data. According to the Houston Fire Department, EMS crews responded to 508 emergency calls related to e-scooters in downtown Houston between January 2021 and July 2025 — and 78% of those calls happened during the restricted hours.

At the same time, Houston Police and the Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department (ARA) reported increasing complaints from residents and businesses about nighttime scooter traffic causing congestion, pedestrian conflicts, noise, and unsafe behavior. Targeted enforcement earlier this year led to the seizure of 129 e-scooters, the impoundment of 74 more, 51 citations, eight arrests, and the recovery of five firearms.

Personal Scooters Included — With Limited Exceptions

While the ordinance is primarily aimed at rental scooters, personal e-scooters are also subject to the curfew. Exceptions are narrow and include:

Travel directly to or from work or school

Emergency situations

Limited use during permitted special events

Use by law enforcement, fire, or EMS personnel

Use by City of Houston employees for official duties

Mobility scooters for people with disabilities and Segways are explicitly exempt.

Penalties Begin Immediately

Now that the ordinance has passed, enforcement begins immediately. Police will start with public education and warnings before issuing citations, but violations can bring fines of up to $500. Impounded devices can be retrieved for $100 per scooter.

City leaders say the goal is not punishment — but prevention.

With scooter use booming across Houston neighborhoods and nightlife districts, officials hope the new rules will strike a balance between transportation flexibility and safer, more walkable streets.