Golf Carts in the Town of Cary, North Carolina
Golf carts are now allowed in some public streets of The Town of Cary. One in particular is Preston PUD. However, there are some rules, guidelines and safety precautions that must be taken to be lawful.
The Golf Cart Guys, LLC sells Town of Cary compliant golf carts; OR we can modify yours with the necessary safely equipment.
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If you would like to have a street legal golf cart where there is NO Town of Cary guidelines, ask us about our Low Speed Vehicles (LSV). It is basically a golf cart manufactured as a registered licensed vehicle in NC with a VIN, DMV title, and all. Drive it anywhere under 35mph without hesitation; from Cary to the beach. Learn more about LSV’s
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919-465-3227
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ARTICLE IX. OPERATION OF GO LF CARTS ON PUBLIC STREETS AND ROADS Sec. 34-276. Authority to regulate.
Pursuant to G .S. 160A-300.6, the town is authorized, by ordinance, to require the registration of, and regulate the operation of electric powered golf carts upon any public street or road within the town.
(C ode 1982, § 12-230; O rd. N o. 02-008, § 1, 3-14-2002; O rd. N o. 2010-C ode-05, 7-15-2010)
Sec. 34-277. Definition s.
T he following words, term s and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Golf cart means a golf cart as defined by G .S. 20-4.01(12a).
on.
Operate means to drive, or be in physical control of a golf cart that is moving or has its engine
Public streets and roads are those roads defined in section 34-279 and 34-280 below.
(C ode 1982, § 12-231; O rd. N o. 02-008, § 1, 3-14-2002; O rd. N o. 2010-C ode-05, 7-15-2010)
Sec. 34-278. Operation on public streets and road s.
It is unlawful to operate a golf cart on a public street or road within the town unless the following requirements are m et.
(1) T he golf cart m ay only be operated on streets and roads that meet the requirements of section 34-279 or section 34-280 below
(2) N o person m ay operate a golf cart unless that person is licensed to drive upon the streets and highways of North Carolina and then, only in accordance with such driver’s license. An operator of golf cart must be at least 16 years of age.
(3) Only the number of people the golf cart is designed to seat m ay ride on a golf cart, specifically, passengers shall not be carried on the part of a golf cart designed to carry golf bags.
(4) N o golf cart m ay be operated at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions, and in no instance at a speed greater than 20 m iles per hour.
(5) N o golf cart m ay be operated in a careless or rec k les s manner.
(6) Golf carts must be operated to the extreme rig h t o f the roadway and must yield to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
(7) Golf carts may be operated in bicycle lanes on the streets and roads permitted by section
34-279 and section 34-280 below provided they do not impede bicycle traffic.
(8) Golf carts may be operated only during daylight hours, with the exception that golf carts equipped with operating lights and reflectors meeting the requirements set forth below m ay operate only between the hours of 7:00 a.m . to 10:00 p.m .:
a. Two lighted lamps, one on each side of the front of the golf cart, visible under norm al atm ospheric conditions from a distance of at least 300 feet in front of such golf cart, and a red lam p on the rear, exhibiting a red light visible under like conditions from a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such golf cart.
b. In lieu of the red lam p, the golf cart m ay be equipped at the rear with two red reflectors of a diameter of not less than three inches which are so designed and located as to height and which are maintained so that each reflector is visible for at least 500 feet when approached by a m otor vehicle displaying lawful undim med headlights.
(9) Golf carts must be operated in accordance with all applicable state and local laws and ordinances, including all laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to the possession and use of alcoholic beverages.
(10) Golf carts must have the basic equipment supplied by the manufacturer, including a vehicle identification number. Such equipment must include all safety devices as installed by said manufacturer, including lights a n d reflectors if the vehicle is to be operated at any tim e before sunrise or after sunset, as provided in section 34-278.
(11) T he chief of police, or his designee, m ay prohibit the operation of golf carts on any street or road if the chief determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(C ode 1982, § 12-232; O rd. N o. 02-008, § 1, 3-14-2002; O rd. N o. 06-003, 2-9-2 00 6; O rd. N o.
2010-C ode-05, 7-15-2010)Sec. 34-279. Streets and roads approved for use.
(a) Golf carts authorized for use under the provisions of this article may be operated in the town on public streets and roads only within the Preston PUD and on those public streets and roads in the town that directly connect portions of the Preston PUD to each other. The following requirements must also be met as follows:
(1) Golf carts may only be operated on local streets and roads with a posted speed limit for motor vehicles of 30 miles per hour or less, provided, however, that golf carts may cross streets and roads with higher speed limits at designated golf cart crossing locations or at intersections in accordance with the rules of the road.
(2) Golf carts shall cross to the opposite side of local streets only at designated crossing locations unless an exigent circumstance exists where the golf cart operator must take an evasive action(s).
(3) Golf carts shall not be operated on the sidewalks except to cross over to a street or road from a private drive or at an approved crossing location.
(4) Golf carts shall not be operated on or across any public or private properties without the permission of the property owner.
(b) During an emergency situation or at a special event, any police officer supervising or controlling traffic may direct that golf carts be operated on or upon other locations.
(Code 1982, § 12-233; Ord. No. 02-008, § 1, 3-14-2002)
Sec. 34-280. Other residential streets and roads approved for use of golf carts.
(a) Applicability. Golf carts may also be operated upon certain public residential streets in a development that includes residential areas with at least one thousand dwelling units, and that has been issued a certificate from the chief of police (“certificate”) in accordance with this section. To be issued a certificate, the property owner or developer (for undeveloped parcels) or the home owners association (jointly “owner”) shall provide adequate documentation that the residential portion of the development meets all of the following criteria:
(1) The residential area within which golf carts may be operated must encompass a minimum of 100 total acres and a minimum of 200 total dwelling units. Such residential area shall consist of defined neighborhoods, subdivisions, and/or groups of neighborhoods or subdivisions bounded by any designated thoroughfare.
(2) The residential area within which golf carts may be operated shall include a recreation and/or community center for residents of the development that offers social, educational and/or fitness programs.
(3) The owner shall provide a written proposal (“proposal”) for the use of golf carts on public residential streets within the development. The proposal shall include:
a. A proposed plan showing the nature of the streets where such carts are proposed to be used, including street widths, speed limits, the existence of any on-street parking, and other related information as deemed necessary by the town; and
b. A signage plan showing the local residential streets or roads where golf carts may be used, designated crossing locations, the boundary of allowable areas for golf cart use, and other directional information (“signage plan”).
(b) Upon receipt of the adequate documentation, the Town of Cary will review the documentation, proposal and signage plan with engineering and public safety consideration given to the nature of the residential development and the design of roads within the residential development, including, but not limited to, sight distances, horizontal and vertical curvature, intersections, speed limits, parking, and road widths of the specific public streets where golf carts are proposed to be operated. If the residential development meets the criteria above and the proposal appears to adequately address the considerations stated above, the police department may issue a certificate. The certificate shall be conditioned upon the development maintaining its qualifying status hereunder and continuing to meet the requirements specified herein. Upon the issuance of a certificate, owner shall post all areas shown on signage plan with sign approved by the planning department prior to the use of any golf cart within the development. All signs shown on signage plan shall be maintained during the term of the certificate by the owner. Additionally, the owner shall create and maintain a golf cart registration system that includes the issuance of numbered stickers for display on registered carts at all times. The Town of Cary reserves the right to revoke or alter the terms of the certificate if significant safety issues arise, without the approval of the owners.
(c) Operational requirements. With respect to the operation of golf carts within the residential developments described in this section, the following requirements shall apply:
(1) Golf carts may only be operated on local residential streets and roads with a posted speed limit for motor vehicles of 30 miles per hour or less.
(2) Golf carts may operate on local streets where on-street parking is permitted only as approved per section 34-280(a)(3).
(3) Golf carts are prohibited from crossing collector streets except at identified crossing points.
(4) Golf carts are prohibited from crossing thoroughfare streets and roads except at grade- separated locations.
(5) Golf carts shall not be operated on sidewalks except to cross over to a street or road from a private drive or at an approved crossing location.
(6) Golf carts shall not be operated on or across any public or private properties without the permission of the property owner.
(7) During an emergency situation or at a special event, any public safety officer supervising or controlling traffic may direct any golf cart operator to operate the golf cart on alternate routes of travel.
(8) Golf carts may be operated on public residential streets only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(Ord. No. 06-003, 2-9-2006)
Sec. 34-281. Enforcemen t.
Violation of this article shall be an infraction, the maxim um penalty for which shall be $50.00, provided however, that operating a golf cart under the influence of an impairing substance (i.e., alcohol or drugs) on a public road or highway is not a violation of this article, but a violation of state law, and is punishable as provided therein.
(Code 1982, § 12-234; Ord. N o. 02-008, § 1, 3-14-2002; Ord. No. 06-003,
2-9-2006)
Note— Formerly § 24-280.
Sec. 34-282. Liability disclaimer.
This article is adopted to address the interest of public safety. Golf carts are not designed or manufactured to be used on the public streets, and the town in no way advocates or endorses their operation on public streets or roads. T he town, by regulating s u c h operation is merely trying to address obvious safety issues, and adoption of this article is not to be relied upon as a determination that operation on public streets is safe or advisable if done in accordance with this article. All persons who operate or ride upon golf carts on public streets or roads do so at their own risk and peril, and must be observant of, and attentive to the safety of them selves and others, including their passengers, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. T he tow n 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 roads under the 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 golf cart on the public streets and roads.
(Code 1982, § 12-235; Ord. N o. 02-008, § 1, 3-14-2002; Ord. No. 06-003, 2-9-2006)
Note— Formerly § 24-281.