[Adopted 10-8-2002 by L.L. No. 21-2002 (Ch. 221, Art. II, of the 1985 Code)]
A. 
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the use of motorized scooters in public by young drivers is posing a serious public safety threat to young drivers and to other pedestrians and drivers because, by virtue of their age, they do not understand the rules of the road.
B. 
This Legislature also finds and determines that the use of these "toy" vehicles on the streets and sidewalks of Suffolk County should be prohibited to protect public safety.
C. 
This Legislature further finds and determines that such scooters may not be driven upon the public highways of the state because they are not eligible for registration under the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
D. 
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to restrict the use of motorized scooters in public in Suffolk County.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
HIGHWAY
Includes any public way as defined by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 118.
MOTORIZED SCOOTER
A skateboard or like device with two or more wheels and an upright steering mechanism attached to the front wheel or wheels, upon which a person or persons may ride propelled by other than muscular power, except that it shall not include an electrically driven mobility assistance device or wheelchair as those devices are defined in New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 130-a, nor shall it include any low-speed vehicle as such is defined in New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 121-f.
PARKING AREA OF A SHOPPING CENTER
Includes those areas defined by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 129-a.
PARKING LOT
Includes those areas defined by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 129-b.
SIDEWALK
Includes those areas defined by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 144.
STREET
Includes those areas defined by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 148.
[Amended 12-16-2025 by L.L. No. 7-2026]
A. 
No person shall operate a motorized scooter upon any off-highway property owned by the County of Suffolk.
B. 
No person shall operate a motorized scooter upon any sidewalk within the County of Suffolk.
C. 
No person shall operate a motorized scooter upon any County roadway or local roadway with a posted speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour; notwithstanding any more restrictive local rule from a Town or Village within the County of Suffolk.
D. 
Any individuals operating or riding as a passenger on a motorized scooter in Suffolk County shall wear a helmet. Any helmet worn to comply with this article shall conform to the requirements established by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1238.
E. 
No person aged 15 years or younger may lawfully operate a motorized scooter on public property or roadways.
F. 
No person shall operate a motorized scooter in a reckless fashion, to include:
(1) 
Without due regard for the safety and rights of pedestrians and drivers and occupants of all other vehicles, and so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person while in lawful use of the streets or sidewalks or any other public or private property.
(2) 
By weaving or steering in a zig-zagging course around motor vehicles in operation on the roadway, unless such irregular course is necessary for safe operation in compliance with this article and the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law.
(3) 
While trick riding on roads or parking lots which actively have motor vehicle or other road user traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
G. 
No person shall operate a motorized scooter under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to include:
(1) 
No person shall operate a motorized scooter while the person's ability to operate such motorized scooter is impaired by the consumption of alcohol.
(2) 
No person shall operate a motorized scooter while such person has 0.08 of 1% or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood as shown by chemical analysis of such person's blood, breath, urine, or saliva.
(3) 
No person shall operate a motorized scooter while in an intoxicated condition or while the person's ability to operate such motorized scooter is impaired by the use of any drug(s).
(4) 
The provisions of this section shall apply upon public highways, roads open to motor vehicle and bicycle traffic, and any other parking lot. For the purposes of this section, "parking lot" shall mean any area or areas of private property, including a driveway, near or contiguous to and provided in connection with premises and used as a means of access to and egress from a public highway to such premises and having a capacity for the parking of four or more motor vehicles. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any area or areas of private property comprising all or part of property on which is situated a one- or two-family residence.
H. 
No person shall flee from a police or peace officer while operating a motorized scooter in Suffolk County. The operator of a motorized scooter is required to stop or pull over when directed to do so by a police or peace officer, or by their marked vehicle by the activation of either its lights or siren. Additionally, no person operating a motorized scooter shall flee from a police or peace officer at an unsafe speed, recklessly, or in any manner that would constitute a danger to other motor vehicles, pedestrians, or property.
[Amended 12-16-2025 by L.L. No. 7-2026]
A. 
Any person who violates § 319-11 of this article shall be guilty of a violation and subject to fine not in excess of $500.
B. 
Any violation of § 319-11F of this article warrants the impound of the motorized scooter material to the offense.
C. 
A second conviction within five years of an initial violation within § 319-11 of this article shall constitute an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine not less than $1,500 and impound of the motorized scooter material to the offense. Any third or subsequent violations of this article within a five-year period shall constitute an unclassified misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to one year's imprisonment.
D. 
The parent or legal guardian, other than a state or legal Social Services Department foster parent having custody, of any unemancipated person under the age of 18 years found guilty of a violation of this article shall be responsible for the payment of the fine imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction for such violation. In no event shall it be a defense that the parent or legal guardian has exercised due diligent supervision over the activities of the person under the age of 18 years.
E. 
The parent or legal guardian, other than a state or legal Social Services Department foster parent having custody, of any unemancipated person under the age of 18 found guilty of a violation of this article shall be responsible for restitution for any damage caused to real property or improvements located thereon owned and/or operated by the County of Suffolk. In no event shall it be a defense that the parent or legal guardian has exercised due diligent supervision over the activities of the person under the age of 18 years.
A. 
Any motorized scooter operated by any person under 16 years of age may be subject to immediate seizure by a duly sworn peace or police officer, acting pursuant to his or her official duties, upon reasonable cause to believe that such operation is a violation of § 319-11 of this article.
B. 
Any motorized scooter seized under the authority of this article shall be stored for safekeeping by the law enforcement agency effecting the seizure. That agency may assess an administrative processing fee of $50 and a storage fee of $5 per day thereafter. Storage fees may only be assessed for days on which claimants are able to reclaim property.
C. 
Proper claimants under this article are limited to:
(1) 
An owner over 16 years of age; or
(2) 
A parent or legal guardian of an owner who is under 16 years of age; or
(3) 
A parent or legal guardian of a person under 16 years of age who is in possession of the motorized scooter at the time of seizure.
D. 
The agency employer of an officer effecting a seizure under this article shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the person in possession at the time of seizure. Such notification shall be by first-class mail. Should no valid claim be made for the seized motorized scooter within 90 days of seizure, title to the seized motorized scooter shall vest in the seizing agency's municipal employer.
E. 
Law enforcement agencies effecting seizures pursuant to this article may promulgate regulations regarding the storage, release and/or destruction of motorized scooters seized under this article.
A. 
This article shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this article.
B. 
In the event that statewide legislation is enacted into law authorizing the use of motorized scooters on public roads, highways, sidewalks or rights-of-way, via the issuance of an operator's license after the completion of a training program or after the passing of an examination to secure such license, then this article shall be null and void.
This article shall be null and void on the day that statewide or federal legislation goes into effect, incorporating either the same or substantially similar provisions as are contained in this article, or in the event that a pertinent state or federal administrative agency issues and promulgates regulations preempting such action by the County of Suffolk. The County Legislature may determine via mere resolution whether or not identical or substantially similar statewide legislation has been enacted for the purposes of triggering the provisions of this section.
This article shall take effect on the 180th day immediately subsequent to the filing of this article in the office of the Secretary of State.