Lime e-scooters have been operating in Dunedin since last year. Photo: James Hall

Dunedin could soon require e-scooter companies to hold permits and follow a code of practice similar to the one in place in Auckland.

On Monday, Dunedin city councillors will review the city’s mobile trading and temporary stall bylaw, which could introduce rules for safety, areas of operation, curfews, speed, maintenance and e-scooter numbers.

Rental scheme operators, including e-scooter companies, do not need permits or licences to operate ‘‘and the council and the public have safety concerns related to some of these operations’’, a report going to the council reads.

Under the proposed new rules, e-scooter companies would be required to provide the council with a plan that shows how they would provide ‘‘a safe and efficient rental scheme’’.

Safety performance information would be required to be reported to the council, but also the New Zealand Transport Agency, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The code of practice could also include a requirement for companies to inform users about ‘‘good use behaviour’’.

The proposed bylaw, designed to ensure public trading in the city makes "public places more safe, lively and attractive without inhibiting the safety and efficiency of pedestrian movement", has been recommended for consultation.