ARTICLE 25
TOWN OF HOLLY RIDGE GOLF CART ORDINANCE
25.01 Golf Carts Definition
Golf carts may be operated on streets within the Town of Holly Ridge in accordance with the following rules and
regulations:
(A) Golf Cart – Vehicle designed and manufactured for
operation on a golf course or recreational purposes not capable of
exceeding 20 mph.
(B) Operator – Person in actual physical control of a vehicle which is in
motion or has the engine running. Terms “driver” and “operator” are
synonymous.
25.02 Golf Cart Inspections/Regulations/Permits/Fees
(A) The inspection by the Chief of Police, or his designee, will cover the
following safety requirements, and every golf cart operating on
Town of Holly Ridge streets must have the following safety equipment:
(1) Permits/stickers will be issued to operators/owners of electric or gas
golf carts.
(2) Each owner must have proof of ownership, and a completed
Waiver of Liability, releasing the Town of Holly Ridge, its
employees, and affiliates from all liability that may arise as a
result of operating a golf cart inside the Town of
Holly Ridge. A Current Waiver of Liability must be on file with the
Town of Holly Ridge, and must be renewed annually.
(3) All golf carts must meet the requirements or minimum standard
equipment, to wit; (1) rear view mirror, (2) lap belts, (3) child
restraints, for use while the vehicle is in motion, (4) front, rear and
side reflectors, (5) locking brake, (6) reverse warning device, (7) main
power switch, (8) horn, (9) manufacturer’s serial number plate, (10)
safety labels visible and readable.
Applicant’s initials:___________
(4) All golf cart operators must possess a valid Driver’s License, except any driver or
operator 18 years of age and older with a medical or physical condition that
prevents that individual from being able to obtain a valid North Carolina drivers
license. The medical condition must be evidenced with a professional certified
medical phobia that prevents the driver or operator from taking a drivers licensing
exam. The medical professional must document that the operator does not possess
a medical condition that would prevent the safe operation of a motor vehicle and
this documentation must be updated annually. Any driver or operator that is
exempt from the requirement of a valid North Carolina license must still present
and have on record and while operating a golf cart, a valid North Carolina
identification card.
(5) Golf carts, by design, are equipped to seat a certain number of passengers. Each
golf cart differs in that it may accommodate 2 to 6 passengers, generally. This
section is designed to regulate overcrowding or reckless operation of a golf cart;
therefore at no time, shall any passengers stand on a golf cart while it operation or
sit on the lap of another passenger while it is in operation or extend any parts of the
body outside of the golf cart.
(6) All operators must provide a minimum of liability insurance on any golf cart prior
to inspection.
(7) Permits/stickers will be issued annually, and valid from July 1st of each year. All
assigned inspection stickers will be prominently displayed on the golf cart and will
be affixed at time of inspection. The following fees shall apply:
(a) Inspection by Police Department $20.00 Annually
(Includes permit/Sticker)
(b) Re-Inspection by Police Department $10.00
(If a golf cart fails the initial inspection)
(c) Carts with dealer’s permits for the purpose of test driving $20.00
from Highway 17 to Jenkins via Sanders St.
Note: Dealer tag cannot be used at any other location except
as noted above and can only be used on the vehicle that is being test driven
unless it is on original inspected golf cart.
(8) Lost, damaged or stolen Permit/Stickers are the responsibility of the owner. Police
reports must be filed in the event of a lost or stolen permit/sticker. The Chief of
Police (or his designee) will have the discretion in determining whether a
permit/sticker may be re-issued in this instance. If no record can be found of a
previous application, or the receipt of a permit/sticker, the Chief of Police may
direct the applicant to reapply, and also resubmit any and all fees necessary before a
replacement permit/sticker is issued.
25.03 Golf Cart Operators/Traffic Laws
(A) Any person who operates a golf cart in the Town of
Holly Ridge and fails to receive or properly display a Town of Holly
Ridge permit/sticker will be subject to the state law requiring
registration, insurance, and any other applicable laws, in addition to
being in violation of this ordinance.
(B) Golf carts will be subject to the traffic laws of North Carolina:
(1) All operators must adhere to All Laws that apply to normal
vehicle operation, to wit: stop signs, stop lights, one-way
streets, etc. They must be operated in accordance with all
state and local laws including possession and use of alcoholic
beverages.
(2) Golf carts will adhere to all traffic flow patterns, and
will operate on the right side of the roadway.
(3) Golf cart operators must yield the right of way to any
over-taking vehicles and pedestrians. (Definition: driver
must slow down and prepare to stop if necessary – usually
while merging into traffic on another road – but does not
have to stop if there is no reason to)
(4) Golf carts shall not be operated on sidewalks.
(5) Golf carts shall not be operated on private property
without the permission and consent of the property owner.
(6) Golf carts may only be driven on streets designated on a map
maintained by the Town of Holly Ridge. The golf cart shall not
be driven on any road where the speed limit is more than 35
mph and may cross only at signalized crossings.
(7) All permit holders of golf carts should advise all drivers of
the vehicle of the rules and regulations of the Golf Cart
ordinance.
(8) Violations of this ordinance may result in revocation of the
golf cart permit which will be at the discretion of the
Holly Ridge Chief of Police.
(C) Golf carts that are issued permits to operate under this ordinance may
only be used from dawn to dusk. Vehicles driven between dusk to
dawn, equipped with proper lighting, are allowed on the designated
streets.
(D) Golf carts may not be operated in inclement weather or when visibility is
impaired.
25.04 Golf Cart Liability Disclaimer
(A) Liability Disclaimer – This ordinance is adopted to address the
interests of public safety. Golf carts are not designed or
manufactured to be used on public streets or roads. The town,
by regulating such operation, is merely trying to address obvious
safety issues. The adoption of this ordinance is not to be relied
upon as a determination that operation on a public street or public
vehicular areas is safe or advisable if done in accordance with this
ordinance. All persons who operate or ride on golf carts on public
streets or public vehicular areas, do so at their own risk and
peril and must be observant of and attentive to the safety of
themselves and others, including their passengers, other motorists,
bicyclists, and pedestrians. The town has no liability under any
theory of liability, and the town assumes no liability for permitting
golf carts to be operated on the public streets and public
vehicular areas under special legislation granted by the state’s
legislature. Any person who operates a golf cart is
responsible for procuring liability insurance sufficient to cover the
risk involved in using a low speed vehicle on the public streets and
public vehicular areas of the town.
25.05 Golf Cart Exceptions
(A) Pursuant to a Town of Holly Ridge parade permit, the golf carts
must be listed in the Description of Vehicle section of the
application.
(B) Pursuant to North Carolina General Statue 20-171.23 All-Terrain Vehicles of fire, EMS, or Law Enforcement are
permitted on public highways where the speed limit is 35 MPH or less.
25.06 Golf Cart Adoption
(A) ADOPTION
(1) The Golf Cart Ordinance shall be added as adopted by
the Holly Ridge Town Council to Title Article 24 – Town of
Holly Ridge Golf Cart Ordinance
25.07 Golf Cart Penalty
(A) PENALTY
(1) Whosoever shall violate any provision of this code for which
no other penalty is provided, shall be upon conviction, guilty
of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not to exceed $50.00.
Each day that any of the provisions of this code are violated
shall constitute a separate offense.
Adopted this 10th day of November, 2009
ATTEST:
_______________________ _________________________
Mayor Elmer Padgett Brenda Padgett, CMC
My signature signifies that I have received/read and understand the Holly Ridge Golf Cart Ordinance, the
accompanying application, Check List of Requirements, and the Waiver of Liability for Golf Carts and hold the Town of
Holly Ridge harmless.
Applicant’s Signature:___________________