Mount Clemens adopts ordinance allowing regulated golf-cart use on city streets

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to adopt an ordinance allowing the limited use of golf carts on city streets, approving rules on inspections, registration, safety features and enforcement.

City staff told the commission the ordinance—authorized under section 20.033 of the Mount Clemens city code and incorporating provisions of the Michigan Vehicle Code (as referenced in the record)—would require carts to be inspected, registered with the city and included on a maintained list of approved carts. Registrants will receive an inspection sticker and a copy of the ordinance and rules at the time of registering, officials said.

Key provisions presented to the commission include a prohibition on crossing Grosbeck Highway, a general restriction that carts operate only on streets with posted speeds of 30 miles per hour or less (except when crossing to reach an allowed street), and parking and enforcement rules. Staff said enforcement of parking and sidewalk violations would be handled by the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department under existing parking ordinances.

Commissioners discussed a public-education plan, including social-media outreach and information on the city website, and an inspection-and-sticker system so officers can identify registered carts in the field. The item passed on a roll-call vote with one dissenting vote: Commissioner McGarity recorded a "No" while other commissioners voted yes.

The ordinance was presented as a local implementation of state authority permitting municipalities to regulate such vehicles; staff told the commission the local ordinance was drafted to be stricter where appropriate and that the city attorney reviewed the draft.

The commission did not specify an effective date in the meeting record; staff indicated the registration and inspection process will be administered through existing city procedures and public outreach will follow adoption.