Upper Arlington's new rules for electric scooters and e-bikes take effect in November, requiring device registration for riders without a valid driver's license and helmets for anyone under 18.

City Council approved the E-Mobility Device Registration and Safety Program ordinance, and the city's Safe UA page lays out what riders need to know. The helmet requirement kicks in Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, 30 days after the ordinance was passed.

Riders who hold a valid driver's license do not need to register their device. Those without a license must pass a free safety course and register the device with the city. Registered devices must display a city sticker.

The Upper Arlington Police Division will offer the safety courses at Upper Arlington Schools, the Upper Arlington Public Library and the Bob Crane Community Center. Class schedules have not yet been announced.

Devices used exclusively by licensed operators do not require registration. If any authorized operator lacks a valid driver’s license, registration is required.

Police plan to focus on educating riders about the new rules before enforcement begins in summer 2027.

The city's November/December UA Insight newsletter highlights several other developments, including the start of budget season for City Council and a preview of Issue 34, the Police and Fire Pension Levy, on the Tuesday, Nov. 3 ballot.

What Issue 34 means for homeowners

The city is asking voters to renew and increase a property tax levy that funds state-mandated retirement and disability contributions for police officers and firefighters. Ohio law requires the city to contribute the equivalent of 19.5% of gross police wages and 24% of gross firefighter wages to the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund, according to city records.

The existing 0.89-mill levy expires after tax year 2026. Issue 34 would renew that levy and add 0.24 mills, bringing the total to 1.13 mills for five years covering tax years 2027 through 2031. Property owners would first pay it in 2028, as NBC4 reported.

The levy would cost homeowners $26 per year for each $100,000 of home value, an increase of $8.50 over the current rate, according to city records. The owner of a $500,000 home would pay $130 per year, about $42 more than now. With Ohio's rollback provision applied, that same homeowner would pay an estimated $118.55.

The proposed levy is expected to generate about $2.2 million annually. The renewal portion would maintain about $1.5 million in yearly collections, while the increase would raise roughly $700,000 to cover anticipated growth in pension obligations, according to NBC4.

Upper Arlington has used voter-approved property tax levies to meet its pension obligations for 50 years, according to city records. If Issue 34 fails, the city would still owe the pension contributions but would have about $2.2 million less available annually for other operations.