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Cloverdale attorney: city can restrict golf carts on specific streets but not ban them citywide
Summary
City attorney Alex Mogg told the Cloverdale City Council Administrative Subcommittee the city may enforce vehicle-code requirements and prohibit golf carts on specific streets with findings, but state law prevents a blanket citywide ban; staff and the police chief will research DMV/LSV registration logistics.
Alex Mogg, attorney with Redwood Public Law, told the Cloverdale City Council Administrative Subcommittee that state law gives cities limited but meaningful authority over golf-cart use on public streets.
"Neither one of those exists in Cloverdale," Mogg said, referring to the two statutory situations that allow special local rules tied to golf courses or residential developments with golf courses. He advised the city may enforce existing vehicle-code requirements for carts — registration with the DMV, posted license plates, headlights and other equipment — and may ban golf carts from specific streets after making a finding, but cannot impose a citywide blanket ban.
The attorney summarized compliance steps the city can require: "They have to be registered with the DMV. They have to abide by all traffic laws. They have to have a posted license plate. The person driving them needs to have a driver's license," Mogg said. Committee members pressed about safety equipment; Mogg confirmed that seat belts and lighting requirements apply when the vehicle is certified or equipped like a low-speed vehicle (LSV).
Chief Parker said he is researching how residents could get carts signed off at a DMV office and whether local sign-off or a stand-alone inspection option exists: "I've been looking at how do you get it registered with the DMV without making it a full LSV," he said, and offered to report back with examples from nearby jurisdictions.
Council members signaled a preference for enabling legal operation rather than broad prohibition. Chair Todd Lance said the goal was to "find ways to make it happen" so commonly used carts can be made legal for streets in Cloverdale.
Next steps: staff and the police department will investigate DMV sign-off options and administrative outreach describing how residents can legalize carts; the subcommittee did not direct an ordinance or citywide ban, but discussed targeted street restrictions and informational or administrative steps to assist conversion to LSV compliance.
