Galveston Police Department

Question: When does the newly adopted golf cart ordinance go into effect?

Ordinance 10-028 regulating the use of golf carts on Galveston Island was passed by the City

Council on March 11th, will be published by the City Secretary on March 21st, and go into

effect on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The Galveston Police Department will exercise a

grace period until May 1, 2010, to allow cart owners to come into compliance with the new

regulations. In the interim, officers will be stopping golf cart drivers to educate them about

the regulations and required registration.

Question: Who is legally allowed to drive a golf cart on Galveston Island?

Only licensed drivers may drive a golf cart on Galveston Island.

Question: What is the boundary line distinguishing the western and eastern portions of

the city?

To clarify, the City’s east end golf cart rules apply to all areas of the Island 103rd Street and

east, inclusive of 103rd Street, whereas the west end golf cart rules apply to all areas west of

103rd Street.

Question: Where can I drive my golf cart?

Galveston’s ordinance distinguishes golf cart operation in eastern and western portions of the

City. Golf carts that are registered for operation 103rd Street and east may be driven in

accordance with the ordinance anywhere permitted on Galveston Island, but golf carts that are

registered for operation west of 103rd Street may not be driven east of 103rd Street. Usage is

restricted for west end cart drivers due to safety features required to operate a golf cart in the

eastern portion of the Island.

Under the ordinance, golf carts can be operated on public roadways within the City of Galveston that:

a) Have a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.

b) Have no more than two lanes of vehicular traffic per direction.

c) Are not designated as part of either the State or Federal highway system.

Golf carts are not permitted on public streets as follows:

a) Roadways where the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour.

b) Avenue “O” between 53rd and 15th Streets and Avenue “P”, between 19th and

53rd Streets.

c) Roadways which are designated as part of the State highway system, including

the “Pelican Island Causeway”.

Golf carts can not be driven on sidewalks and are prohibited from pulling trailers, boats, jet

skis, other objects or people on public streets and the right of way. Golf carts can only be

operated on beaches that allow vehicular access, except for those with a disability as

described below.

Golf carts are limited to the seating capacity as designed by the manufacturer. All drivers and

passengers must be seated at all times during operation of a golf cart. All occupants under the

age of seven must be restrained by either an adult or by a seatbelt. If golf cart is operated

103rd Street and east, all drivers and passengers must use a seatbelt.

Question: Why can’t I drive my golf cart on non-vehicular beaches?

Vehicular access on Galveston Island beaches is regulated through the Texas Open Beaches

Act and Galveston’s Beach Access Plan. Golf carts are defined by the Texas Transportation

Code as motor vehicles and therefore can only operate on beaches that allow motor vehicles.

Operating a golf cart on pedestrian, non-vehicular beaches, is limited to handicapped

individuals with clearly displayed placards.

To obtain a handicapped placard for your golf cart, please contact the Galveston County Tax

Office (409) 766-2284. The County has offices located on the Island as well as on the

mainland. Please call the County for a list of required documentation and office hours.

Question: Where can I apply for my golf cart registration permit and decal?

Golf cart registration permits may be obtained from the Galveston Police Department. Police

Department headquarters is located at 601 54th Street. Owners can apply for golf cart permits

between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The golf cart registration application will soon be available online at the Galveston Police

Department’s website, www.galvestonpd.com. Additionally, applications can be obtained

from any Galveston police officer.

Golf cart owners will need to provide the following information to register their carts:

1) Name and address of the Applicant owner.

2) Location where the vehicle is regularly stored overnight.

3) Model, make, name and golf cart identification number.

4) Current driver's license.

5) Proof of financial responsibility.

Each registered golf cart will be issued a registration permit decal that must be clearly

displayed on the cart’s right front panel (driver’s side). The registration permit is good for

one year from the date of registration, or such time as revoked, or the golf cart is transferred

to a new owner. Carts registered 103rd Street and east will be issued a green decal; carts

registered west of 103rd Street will be issued a red decal.

Question: How much does the registration cost?

The cost of an annual registration permit is $25.00.

Question: What is the fine if I’m caught disregarding the golf cart ordinance?

Pursuant to state law, drivers found in violation of the City’s golf cart ordinance are subject to

a misdemeanor offense punishable as follows:

1) Violations of Section 34-203 shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars

($50.00). Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

2) Violations of Sections 34-207(e) or 34-207(f) shall be punishable by a fine not

exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00).

Question: What safety features does my golf cart needed to be equipped with?

All golf carts must be equipped with the following minimum safety equipment to be eligible

for a registration permit:

1) Operational headlamps

2) Operational tail lamps

3) Side reflectors

4) Operational parking brake

5) Rearview mirror(s)

6) Slow moving vehicle sign having a reflective surface designed to be clearly visible in

daylight or at night from the light of standard headlamps at a distance of at least 500

feet. This sign should be mounted base down on the rear of the cart at a height from

three to five feet above the road surface. It must be maintained in a clean reflective

condition.

Golf carts registered 103rd Street and east are required to install the following additional

safety equipment:

1) Turn signals

2) Horn

3) Brake lights

4) Seat belts

All golf cart equipment must be installed and maintained in a manner consistent with the

standards provided by Texas Transportation Code.

Question: Is it illegal to drink alcohol while driving my golf cart?

Yes. The Texas Transportation Code defines a golf cart as a motor vehicle so the open

container and driving while intoxicated rules apply and are punishable by law.

Question: How was the golf cart ordinance developed?

On December 13, 2009, the Galveston City Council appointed Galvestonians to two ad hoc

committees, the East End Golf Cart Committee and the West End Golf Cart Committee. Each

committee was asked to research the use of golf carts in master planned communities as well

as on other public streets. After meeting over the course of several weeks the committees

brought their recommendations to Council in the form of an ordinance. Throughout the

process several city staff members worked with the groups, notably representatives from the

police and legal departments.

Question: Where can I get a copy of the new ordinance regulating golf carts?

Through approval of this ordinance the Galveston City Council amended Chapter 34 of the

city’s code. To view the City of Galveston’s online charter and code please visit,

www.cityofgalveston.org. Members of the public wishing to view ordinance 10-028 can also

request a copy from the City Secretary’s Office by calling (409) 797-3510 or they can visit

the office, located on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 823 Rosenberg, Galveston, TX, during regular

business hours, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.