GOLF CARTS

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. XXIII, ch. 804, pt. 15

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 804.1501 Findings.

Sec. 804.1501. - Findings. (a) The Council finds that golf carts provide residents an alternative mode of transportation within communities, reducing vehicle emission and gasoline consumption and separate pathways for golf cart usage within public and private rights-of-way can provide connections between local roads so as to allow travel between residential, retail and workplace areas without the need to use an automobile. (b) As more residents seek alternatives to automobile use the Council finds that having uniform standards for designation of roads and streets for use by golf carts and operations of golf carts is necessary to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public. (c) F.S. § 316.212 authorizes local governments to designate public municipal roads and streets for use by golf carts. (Ord. 2018-266-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 804.1502 Definitions.

Sec. 804.1502. - Definitions. For purpose of this Section, the following definitions shall apply: (a) Applicant means a person or entity who is requesting that a Road be designated as either a Designated Road or a Prohibited Road, or for a sidewalk to be designated as a Golf Cart Path. (b) Application means a request for a Road to be designated as either a Designated Road or a Prohibited Road, or for a sidewalk to be designated as a Golf Cart Path. (c) Authorized Utility Vehicle means a Golf Cart or LSV of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Division, Jacksonville Sherriff's Office vehicles, and such ambulances and Utility Vehicles of other City departments, public service corporations operated by private corporations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Florida Department of Corrections as are designated or authorized. (d) City means the City of Jacksonville, Florida. (e) City Council mean the City Council for the City of Jacksonville, Florida. (f) City Traffic Engineer shall mean that official designated or recognized to be performing as a professional traffic engineer of the City. (g) Designated Road means a Road, or portion thereof, that, consistent with this Section, has received approval from the City for the use of Golf Cart. Designated Road shall include Roads currently in existence or Roads planned for construction. (h) Golf Cart is defined as, "A motor vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour. (i) Golf Cart Path means a shared-use pathway which may be used by pedestrians, roller-bladers/skaters, runners, bicyclists, and golf carts. (j) Low-Speed Vehicle or LSV means any four-wheeled vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour, including, but not limited to, neighborhood electric vehicles. LSVs must comply with the safety standards in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500 and F.S. § 316.2122. (k) Prohibited Road means a Road, or portion thereof, on which, consistent with this Section, the City has specifically prohibited the use of Golf Carts or LSVs. However, no road shall allow Golf Carts unless so designated by this Chapter, or pursuant to previous ordinances. (l) Road means, as consistent with Chapter 748, Ordinance Code, a way open to travel by the public, including, but not limited to, a street, highway, or alley. The term includes associated sidewalks, the roadbed, the right-of-way, and all culverts, drains, sluices, ditches, water storage areas, waterways, embankments, slopes, retaining walls, bridges, tunnels, and viaducts necessary for the maintenance of travel and all ferries used in connection therewith. (m) Sidewalk means a paved area intended primarily for use by pedestrians. (Ord. 2018-266-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 804.1503 Designation Procedures.

Sec. 804.1503. - Designation Procedures. The following procedures shall be utilized in designating any portion of any Road as a Designated Road or Prohibited Road or any portion of a Sidewalk as a Golf Cart Path: (a) Upon receipt of an Application, the City Traffic Engineer shall, as may be applicable, conduct a study, review any study provided by the Applicant, or review the proposed construction plans, if the Application has been submitted during development review. The City Traffic Engineer shall review the Application in accordance with best practices within the industry and with local, State and federal design standards and guidelines and shall make a determination of the following as may be applicable: (1) In the case of a proposed Designated Road, whether Golf Carts may travel on or cross the proposed Designated Road, considering factors including the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using said road or street, provided that, in no event shall an Application for a proposed Designated Road be granted unless the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less. (2) In the case of a proposed Prohibited Road, whether it is necessary in the interest of safety to prohibit the operation of LSV on the proposed Prohibited Road. (3) In the case of a proposed conversion of an existing Sidewalk into a Golf Cart Path or construction of a Golf Cart path where no sidewalk and/or Road currently exists, the City Traffic Engineer shall consider, as applicable, the current or proposed conditions for non-vehicular traffic in the surrounding community, the character of the surrounding community and the location of proposed and/or existing authorized Golf Cart crossing(s), and whether Golf Carts, bicycles and pedestrians may safely share the proposed Golf Cart Path. Any Golf Cart Path shall have a minimum of 14 feet of clear width with pavement width of at least 12 feet, measured from the centerline of the clear width. The City Traffic Engineer may approve a deviation of both the required clear width and required pavement width based on topographic conditions, but may not approve a proposed Golf Cart Path with less than eight feet of pavement width. Upon completion of the review, the City Traffic Engineer shall either deny or grant the Application. (4) In the case of a proposed conversion into a Golf Cart Path of an existing or planned Multi-Use Path that was installed in lieu of a requirement for both a bike lane and a sidewalk, said conversion will only be allowed if an additional four feet of pavement width and overall clear width is provided (thus 16 feet of pavement width and 18 feet of clear width). Additionally, the City Traffic Engineer shall consider, as applicable, the current or proposed conditions for non-vehicular traffic in the surrounding community, the character of the surrounding community and the location of the proposed and/or existing authorized Golf Cart or Multi-Use Path crossings, and whether Golf Carts, bicycles and pedestrians may safely share the proposed Golf Cart Path. The City Traffic Engineer may approve a deviation of both the required clear width and required pavement width based on topographic conditions, but may not approve a proposed Golf Cart Path in this instance with less than 12 feet of pavement width. Upon completion of the review, the City Traffic Engineer shall either deny or grant the Application. (b) In the event the City Traffic Engineer denies the Application, the City Traffic Engineer shall provide the Applicant with written findings of fact in support of the denial. The Applicant may appeal the denial to the City Council by filing a written notice of appeal with the Office of Legislative Services within 30 days after receipt of the written findings of fact. The appeal shall be heard by the Council Committee charged with the subject matter of transportation and context sensitive streets, who shall report its findings to the full Council. (c) In the event the City Traffic Engineer grants the Application, the Applicant shall install, or shall cause to be installed, appropriate signs and/or pavement markings to indicate where and that such vehicle use is allowed or prohibited, as may be applicable. All signage and pavement markings shall comply with the standards of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices issued by the Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation, and with any permitting requirements for such signs. At a minimum, signs shall be located at entry points into the development, and on the Roads and Golf Cart Paths. The signs shall be of a design approved by the City Traffic Engineer. The Applicant or designee shall pay in full for all costs and expenses associated with the installation of such signage and/or pavement markings. The Applicant or designee shall also be responsible for the repair or replacement of such signage and/or pavement markings. Failure to repair or replace a damaged or missing sign or marking shall cause a Road to lose its designation. (d) Communities that own and maintain their own road system (i.e. private communities, community development districts, special districts) may apply pursuant to this Section for the community-owned roads or sidewalks, or any portion thereof, to be designated for Golf Cart use, or for the use of LSVs to be prohibited upon the community-owned roads, or any portion thereof, and for enforcement of the provisions of this Part 15, if said community has entered into a traffic enforcement agreement with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The cost of any and all signage and/or pavement markings required shall be the sole responsibility of the community. Nothing in this Part 15 shall be construed to convey to the City any ownership or maintenance responsibility of the community-owned roads or sidewalks. (Ord. 2018-266-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 804.1504 Golf Cart, LSV and Equipment.

Sec. 804.1504. - Golf Cart, LSV and Equipment. (a) No Golf Cart or LSV shall be operated in a reckless or careless manner. (b) The operation of a Golf Cart upon any Road or Golf Cart Path is prohibited, except upon a Designated Road or Golf Cart Path that has been appropriately marked with signs and/or pavement markings as approved by the City Traffic Engineer, or where such use predates this Section. (c) The operation of a Golf Cart upon any Sidewalk adjacent to a Road or State highway within the City is prohibited, unless designated as a Golf Cart Path pursuant to this Part. However, Golf Carts may be operated upon a designated Golf Cart Path that has been appropriately marked with signs and/or pavement markings, or where such use predates this Section. (d) A Golf Cart may be operated on a Designated Road or Golf Cart Path only between sunrise and sunset, unless the Golf Cart is equipped with headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield. (e) A Golf Cart may not be operated upon a Designated Road or Golf Cart Path by any person under the age of 14. (f) The operation of a Golf Cart upon a Golf Cart Path shall be restricted to a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. (g) Any person operating a Golf Cart upon a Golf Cart Path shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be, to a pedestrian or bicycle upon the Golf Cart Path. (h) Any person operating an LSV must have in his or her possession a valid driver license. (i) No person who does not hold a valid driver license and who is under 17 years of age may operate a Golf Cart upon a Designated Road or Golf Cart Path after 11 p.m. and before 6 a.m. (j) No person who does not hold a valid driver license and who is 17 years of age may operate a Golf Cart upon a Designated Road or Golf Cart Path after 1 a.m. and before 5 a.m. (k) A Golf Cart operating on a Designated Road or Golf Cart Path 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. Additionally, a Golf Cart operating on a Golf Cart Path must be equipped with a horn or other warning device required by F.S. § 316.271. (l) An LSV must be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers. (m) An LSV must be registered and insured in accordance with F.S. § 302.02, and titled pursuant to F.S. Ch. 319. (n) The City may use Golf Carts and LSVs upon any Road or Sidewalk in accordance with the provisions of this Part 15, as applicable, and of F.S. § 316.2126(1) and (4). (o) Notwithstanding any provision of this Part to the contrary, any Authorized Utility Vehicle may operate on any Road or sidewalk while carrying out official duties and in accordance with F.S. § 316.21265. (p) In addition to the above provisions, the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law (F.S. Ch. 316) shall apply where applicable, as per Florida law. (q) Roads and Golf Cart Paths approved prior to the effective date of this Section shall continue to be governed pursuant to their respective approval ordinances. The standards and regulations contained herein shall only apply to said Roads and Sidewalks if subsequent approval is obtained pursuant to this Section. LSVs are prohibited from operating on Sidewalks and Golf Cart Paths unless they are Authorized Utility Vehicles. (Ord. 2018-266-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 804.1505 Enforcement and Penalties.

Sec. 804.1505. - Enforcement and Penalties. Violations of this Part may be enforced by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. (a) The Sheriff is authorized to stop persons whom he or she reasonably suspects is in violation of the provisions of this Part and may detain such persons as long as is reasonably necessary to determine whether they are in violation of this Part. (b) The Sheriff, upon finding a person suspected to be in violation of this Part shall allow the person an opportunity to explain why he or she is not in violation of the ordinance. If a person is in violation of the ordinance, the Sheriff shall ascertain the name and address of the person, warn the person that he or she is in violation of the Golf Cart ordinance, and if there is any doubt about the will or capacity of the person to return safely to their home or usual place of abode, the Sheriff may take the person immediately to their home or usual place of abode. (c) Any person who violates this Part 15 shall receive a written warning for his or her first violation. Any person who violates this Part, after having received a prior written warning, is guilty of a civil infraction and shall be assessed a civil fine of $100 for each violation and court costs of $15. The Clerk of the Court shall have the authority to collect said fines and costs. (d) The County Court in and for the Fourth Judicial Circuit shall have jurisdiction to hear charges of violations herein. (e) A person fined for a violation of this Part may choose to perform community service in lieu of paying a fine. The Sheriff is authorized to create a program to supervise the performance of community service performed hereunder. Community service shall be performed at a rate of each hour equaling the federal minimum wage in effect at the time of the violation. The Sheriff shall notify the Clerk of Court when a person performs community service hereunder so the Clerk may reduce the amount of civil fine owed. (f) The enforcement provisions of this Part are supplemental in nature and are not intended to prohibit the City from seeking any remedy available at law or equity. (Ord. 2018-266-E, § 1)

Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXXIIITRPA_CH804JATRCO_PT15GOCAFetched: 10/27/2026