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Pulaski County approves changes to ordinance regulating off‑road vehicles and golf carts
Summary
Commissioners voted to adopt revisions to Ordinance No. 10 covering golf carts, side‑by‑sides and other off‑road vehicles, removing a driver's‑license requirement, setting a minimum age of 16, requiring helmets and adding turn‑signal and accident‑reporting rules; staff will publish the updated text and hold public inspections.
Pulaski County commissioners approved revisions to Ordinance No. 10 governing golf carts and off‑road vehicles during their regular meeting, adopting changes that remove a driver's‑license requirement, set a minimum user age of 16 and require helmets.
The revisions also add requirements for turn signals on applicable vehicles and require accidents to be reported to the Department of Natural Resources or law enforcement, officials said. The county scheduled vehicle inspections to start May 31 and asked staff to publish the updated ordinance text in the local paper.
Sheriff: "The age requirement would be 16, and they're gonna be required to wear a helmet," the Sheriff said while explaining the package of edits his office and Chief Deputy Fred Rogers drafted. Chief Deputy Rogers said the office would host an inspection event on May 31 starting at 9 a.m.
Supporters of the update said the changes create a clear permitting and inspection process. Some residents who spoke during public comment, however, said they are concerned about extra costs and about enforcement timing. "I'm really concerned about the timing because I'm afraid that this is going to increase people, encourage them to use their off road vehicles more frequently," said Honey Ehrlich, a resident who also raised worries about increased traffic and dust near solar construction sites.
Commissioners acknowledged the complaints but said similar ordinances exist in other counties and that the changes are intended to improve safety and clarity. The board directed staff to remove the items that were changed, reflect bicycle language where appropriate, and arrange publication of the final ordinance language.
The motion to approve the changes received a second and was approved with members answering "Aye," per the meeting record.
County staff and the Sheriff’s Office will follow up with a public notice about inspection locations, timing and any applicable fees.
