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DeSoto County approves $50 lifetime registration for Buena Vista Lakes golf carts, effective June 1
Summary
The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to let Buena Vista Lakes residents register neighborhood golf carts beginning June 1, 2026, with a one-time $50 fee and a windshield sticker showing the lot number; the Tax Collector will collect fees and the Sheriff's Office will enforce equipment and safety rules.
The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors voted April 20 to allow Buena Vista Lakes residents to register neighborhood golf carts beginning June 1, 2026, adopting a one-time $50 registration fee and issuing windshield stickers that display each cart’s lot number.
The vote followed a presentation by County Administrator Andrea Pettigrew and discussion with Tax Collector Joey Treadway, who said the Tax Collector’s office would collect the fees, issue stickers and place the registrations into the county system. "A realistic time frame to get these registrations in place and in the system would be June 1, 2026," Treadway told the board. Board Attorney Adam Emerson confirmed inspections are not required under the statute, and enforcement of lighting, turn signals or other equipment issues would rest with the Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement.
Residents who spoke during public comment said many older neighbors rely on golf carts to move within the hilly Buena Vista Lakes neighborhood and that a lifetime fee would be preferable to annual renewals. Kevin Cooper said the neighborhood had installed new greens and that a local registration program would help manage safety and compliance.
Supervisor Robert Foster moved for the registration program; Supervisor Mark Gardner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The board directed the Tax Collector’s office and Buena Vista Lakes Homeowners Association (HOA) to coordinate records and sticker information — the HOA will include lot numbers on stickers and keep a record of registered carts. County staff estimated the administrative setup (applications and stickers) would be completed in time for the June 1 start date.
The board’s action implements implementation steps consistent with Senate Bill No. 3386 as discussed during the meeting. The Sheriff's Office will handle on-road enforcement when a cart lacks required lighting or signals, and the HOA will manage internal covenants related to cart use.
