§ 2-4-10. Operation of golf carts on public roads.

(a)

A "golf cart," for purposes of this section, means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty (20) miles per hour.

(b)

A golf cart may be operated only upon those public roads or streets in unincorporated Charlotte County designated for golf cart use by resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners (hereinafter referred to as "designated public roads or streets"). Prior to making such designation, the board of county commissioners must first determine that golf carts may safely travel on or cross the public road or street, considering factors including the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using the road or street.

(c)

Any golf cart that is operated on designated public roads or streets in unincorporated Charlotte County between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with functioning headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield.

(d)

Persons driving golf carts on designated public roads or streets in unincorporated Charlotte County shall comply with all applicable provisions of F.S. ch. 316, including, but not limited to, compliance with all traffic control devices.

(e)

All golf carts operating on designated public roads or streets must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices in both the front and rear.

(f)

No person under fourteen (14) years of age may operate a golf cart on any designated public roads or streets in unincorporated Charlotte County.

(g)

County maintained roads designated for golf cart use have the following speed limits:

(1)

Paved roads with a width of fifteen (15) feet or more: Twenty-five (25) miles per hour.

(2)

Paved roads with a width less than fifteen (15) feet: Twenty (20) miles per hour.

(3)

Unpaved roads, regardless of width: Twenty (20) miles per hour.

(h)

A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to F.S. ch. 318. Violations of subsections (b), (c), and (d) are moving violations and violations of subsections (e) and (f) are nonmoving violations.

(Ord. No. 2017-035, § 2, 7-25-17)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 2017-035, § 2, adopted July 25, 2017, amended § 2-4-10 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former § 2-4-10 pertained to operation of golf carts and derived from Ord. No. 95-052, §§ 1—4, adopted Nov. 28, 1995; Ord. No. 2000-23, § 1, adopted July 11, 2000; Ord. No. 2013-003, § 2, adopted Feb. 26, 2013; Ord. No. 2014-006, § 2, adopted Jan. 28, 2014; Ord. No. 2015-010, § 2, adopted March 10, 2015; Ord. No. 2015-012, § 2, adopted March 24, 2015; Ord. No. 2015-030, § 1, adopted June 23, 2015.