The Village Of Palmetto Bay Is Reviewing Its Golf Cart Ordinance

From the Village of Palmetto Bay:

August 7, 2020

Dear Residents,

The Village of Palmetto Bay is presently reviewing its current ordinance related to the operation of golf carts in the Village to ensure consistency with the latest state and county ordinances. Here’s a link to Palmetto Bay’s existing ordinance for your reference.

Current local and state laws allow for golf carts to be driven on interior roads of the Village and on county roads where the speed limit is 30 MPH or less, if the golf cart is registered with the State. Here is a link to the State Statute regulating golf carts. If the golf cart has been modified to travel at more than 20 MPH, but not greater than 25 MPH, it must meet certain specifications and be registered with the State as a low speed vehicle (LSV). This registration is issued by the State of Florida, which requires the owner of the LSV to obtain PIP and Liability Insurance and is separate from the Village of Palmetto Bay’s golf cart registration. Here is a link to the State Statute regulating golf carts and this link provides specific information pertaining to LSV’s. This state law also applies to Palmetto Bay. Even if the golf cart is registered in our Village, it must be registered with the State and carry liability insurance.

In contrast, golf carts cannot be operated on Old Cutler Road, US 1, SW 136 Street, SW 152nd Street, SW 168th Street, SW 184th Street, SW 67th Avenue, SW 77th Avenue, SW 87th Avenue, and SW 97th Avenue; or any road with a speed limit of 45 MPH. State law also prohibits the operation of golf carts on sidewalks that are less than 8 feet wide, which includes all sidewalks in Palmetto Bay. According to state law, golf carts are considered vehicles which are designed for recreational purposes and which are not capable of exceeding 20 MPH. More information is provided here in the State’s definition.

In addition to updating our golf cart ordinance, new and existing golf cart owners in the Village will be able to register their golf carts using a new online option. This new electronic option will allow users to register their new or existing golf cart with the Village of Palmetto Bay and make any applicable payments online. Stay tuned for more information and updates in the future.

This press release was produced by the Village of Palmetto Bay. The views expressed here are the author’s own.