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County adopts golf‑cart ordinance to allow limited subdivision use with safeguards
Summary
Vanderburgh County gave final approval to an ordinance allowing limited golf‑cart operation inside major subdivisions with requirements for driver age, insurance, seat restraints, and a ban on sidewalks and major-road crossings; the sheriff supported the ordinance as a balanced, safety‑focused compromise.
The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners gave final approval Aug. 26 to an ordinance amending the county code to allow limited golf‑cart operation within certain subdivisions, with safety requirements and mapping guidance to identify where operation is allowed.
Sheriff (unnamed) spoke in favor of the ordinance as a measured response to resident complaints about underage and reckless operation. He described the change as “a compromise, a sensible adjustment to allow limited golf cart operation, while imposing some guardrails” and said it should reduce unsafe driving and underage operation in subdivisions.
Key provisions explained at the meeting: - Operation limited to major subdivision roads/streets as defined by the Area Plan Commission mapping (a “major subdivision” is identified on the APC site). - Drivers must meet an age requirement (driver’s-license requirement), and children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult operator (adult defined in ordinance text). - Minimum liability insurance required for golf carts used on permitted streets. - No operation on sidewalks or walking paths; passengers must be seated in seats (no riders hanging off the sides); no open alcoholic containers. - Golf carts may not cross a prohibited road at an angle to reach another permitted street (crossing major roadways is disallowed for safety reasons).
County staff said the Area Plan Commission’s web mapping will help residents determine whether their subdivision roads qualify. The sheriff’s office and county staff said they will update web pages to reflect the ordinance and mapping.
Commissioners recorded a unanimous vote to adopt the ordinance on final reading.
