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ITEM: ORDINANCE NO. 2026-17 (OPERATION OF NON-HUMAN POWERED MICRO-MOBILITY DEVICES)
AN ORDINANCE OF WELLINGTON, FLORIDA’S COUNCIL AMENDING CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE I, DIVISION 1, SECTIONS 14-1 (DEFINITIONS), 14-3 (ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY), AND 14-4 (PENALTIES) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO INCLUDE A DEFINITION OF NEIGHBORHOOD PARK AND CLARIFY THAT VIOLATIONS OF THIS CHAPTER MAY BE ENFORCED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; AMENDING CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 2, SECTION 14-21 (GAME AND SPORT ACTIVITY) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CLARIFY THAT BICYCLES, SCOOTERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ACTIVITIES ARE PROHIBITED INSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND IN OTHER PUBLIC RECREATIONAL AREAS; AND AMENDING CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE III, DIVISION 4, SECTION 14-26 (USE OF VEHICLES) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROHIBIT NON-HUMAN POWERED MICRO-MOBILITY DEVICES IN CERTAIN WELLINGTON PARKS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
REQUEST: Approval of Ordinance No. 2026-17 amending Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances to prohibit the operation of non-human powered micro-mobility devices in certain Wellington parks or portions of Wellington parks and to clarify definitions and enforcement.
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EXPLANATION: Wellington has recently experienced property damage at its neighborhood parks, boat docks, and other locations due to the apparent misuse of non-human powered micro-mobility devices, particularly electric bicycles and motorized scooters. The proposed amendments to Chapter 14, which governs Parks and Recreation, seek to clarify that the use of these devices is prohibited in certain Wellington parks and in certain areas of Wellington parks to protect against further property damage and promote public safety.
More specifically, Chapter 14, Article III, Division 1, Section 14-21 of the Code of Ordinances, titled “Game and Sport Activity,” currently prohibits roller skating, roller blading, bicycling, skateboarding, and any other similar activity on turf, basketball courts, tennis courts, and parking lots. The proposed amendment modifies section 14-21 to specifically identify electric bicycling and motorized scootering among the activities prohibited by this section and to clarify that such activities are also prohibited inside Neighborhood Parks, on boat docks, and on playground equipment. Section 14-1 is also amended to include a definition of Neighborhood Park that applies to the entire chapter.
Given the increased prevalence of non-human powered micromobility devices, particularly electric bicycles and motorized scooters, in and around Wellington, as well as the increase in accidents involving such devices in Wellington and throughout the state of Florida, the proposed ordinance also modifies section 14-26, which addresses the use of vehicles in parks. The changes include new language prohibiting the operation of non-human-powered micro-mobility devices in specific park locations as part of an additional effort to protect against property damage and promote public safety in areas that see higher amounts of pedestrian traffic; namely:
(1) Wellington Town Center
(2) Neighborhood Parks
(3) The Heart Trail at Village Park
Finally, the proposed ordinance amends sections 14-3 and 14-4, which address enforcement of Chapter 14. The change to section 14-3 clarifies that Chapter 14 can be enforced by both the Parks and Recreation Department and by law enforcement officers. The change to Chapter 14-4 modifies the penalty for violations of Chapter 14 to be consistent with the language in Chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: YES QUASI-JUDICIAL: NO
FIRST READING: YES SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: NO
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Ordinance No. 2026-17 amending Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances to prohibit the operation of non-human powered micro-mobility devices in certain Wellington parks or portions of Wellington parks and to clarify definitions and enforcement.