2021-06 Code Amendment - Golf CartsORDINANCE NO. 2021-06
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, "MOTOR
VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC," OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY
ADOPTING A NEW ARTICLE IV, "GOLF CARTS;" PROVIDING FOR
DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS
WITHIN THE VILLAGE; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, residents of the Village have expressed an interest in allowing golf carts to be driven
upon streets within the Village's jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the operation of golf carts upon local streets is generally prohibited unless otherwise
authorized by the Village pursuant to Section 316.212, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, due to the relative costs of motor vehicle volatile fuels and the desire to provide for
energy efficient vehicles, the Village Council wishes to allow golf carts to operate within the
Village and having considered the speed, volume and character of motor vehicle traffic on Village
roadways, the Village Council has determined that golf carts may safely travel on or across public
streets and alleys within the Village as set forth in this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council determines that the adoption of this Ordinance promotes the
health, safety and welfare of the residents and citizens of the Village of North Palm Beach.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE
OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are ratified as true and correct and are incorporated herein.
Section 2. The Village Council hereby amends Chapter 18, "Motor Vehicles and Traffic," of
the Village Code of Ordinances by adopting a new Article IV to read as follows (additional
language underlined):
ARTICLE IV. GOLF CARTS
Sec. 18-45. Definitions.
For the purposes of this article, whenever the following words or terms are
used in this article, they shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section,
except where the context requires otherwise:
Golf cart means a motor vehicle as defined in F.S. §320.01(22), as
amended, that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for
sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20
miles per hour.
Page 1 of 3
Private community means a single or multi -family community that is
regulated by F.S. ch 718 (condominiums); F.S. ch. 719 (cooperatives):, or F.S. ch.
720 homeowners' associations).
Traffic control device means an approved sign or signs permitting or
prohibiting the parking or operation of golf carts on a street, alley, driveway,
parking lot or other area, or regulating_speed, or regulating_parking.
Sec. 18-46. Operation of golf carts.
(a) Authorization to berate golf carts. In accordance with F.S.
§316.212(l), golf carts meeting the definition set forth in section 18-45 above may
be operated within the Village on the streets, alleys and parking areas open to the
public and designated in this article, and on private property, and within private
communities on such private driveways, parking lots, or private streets designated
for golf cart use by the private community. Each private community which allows
the use of golf carts shall Provide adequate traffic control devices advising that it is
a "golf cart community," and regulating the use of golf carts and designating the
areas where golf carts may be operated and parked.
(b) Compliance with state statutes. All operators of golf carts within the
Village shall comply with the provisions of the state statutes pertaining to the
operation of golf carts and of motor vehicles. Any violation of such statute(s) shall
also be a violation of this article. Golf cart operators shall comply with all
applicable local and state traffic control devices, and operators of golf carts may be
issued a citation or summons for traffic and moving violations in the same manner
as other motor vehicles.
(c) Equipment and minimum standards. All golf carts operated within
the Village shall meet the minimum equipment standards established by F.S.
§316.212. Golf carts operated before sunrise and after sunset must be equipped
with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield. In addition, on the rear
of the golf cart, all golf carts shall be equipped with two round red reflectors, each
at least three inches in diameter, and affixed to the rear of the golf cart, within six
inches of each side edge In the alternative, a triangular slow-moving vehicle
emblem (SMV) approved for use on vehicles by the state department of highway
safety and motor vehicles may be affixed to the rear of the golf cart.
(d) Designation of certain village streets, county roads and state
highways Golf carts may only e operated within the Village as permitted or
prohibited below:
( 1) Operation of a golf cart shall be permitted on the roadway portion
of all village streets and alleys, unless prohibited by a traffic control
device, or as otherwise provided herein, and in general conformance
to any lawful traffic control devices.
(2) Operation of a golf cart in Village parks is prohibited, except where
permitted by a traffic control device.
Page 2 of 3
3) Operation of a golf cart is prohibited on any county road or state
highway, unless the village shall have first obtained the consent or
permission of the count or state, as required by law, and where
permitted by a traffic control device. Those road segments include,
but are not limited to:
U.S. Highway One
Northlake Boulevard
Prosperity Farms Road
Alternate A 1 A
Monet R once
(e) Private community enforcement. Golf carts operated within private
communities shall be subject to the enforcement of rules and regulations established
by the private communities, which shall be the sole responsibility of each such
community, except where jurisdiction has been granted to the Village police
department for traffic law enforcement by the community.
Section 3. The provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of
the Village of North Palm Beach, Florida.
Section 4. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this Ordinance is for
any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, inoperative or void,
such holding shall not affect the remainder of this Ordinance.
Section 5. All ordinances or parts of ordinances and resolutions or parts of resolutions in
conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PLACED ON FIRST READING THIS 8TH DAY OF APRIL, 2021.
PLACED ON SECOND, FINAL READING AND PASSED THIS 22ND DAY OF APRIL, 2021.
R '
(Village Seal) -. .
VICE MAY
i
ATTEST:
VILLAGE CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
VILLAGE ATTORNEY
Page 3 of 3