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Council adopts ordinance to permit inspected golf carts and NEVs on city streets with conditions
Summary
After extended debate, council adopted an ordinance (effective Oct. 1, 2026) allowing inspected and registered golf carts/NEVs that meet equipment standards to operate on city streets, with police inspection, restrictions on US Route 44, a one‑time grandfather clause for carts within 2,000 ft of the golf course (limited to trips to/from the course), and penalties raised to a class C misdemeanor for violations.
The Alice City Council on June 16 adopted an ordinance regulating golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) on city streets, establishing inspection and registration requirements, equipment standards and operational limits, and a one‑time grandfathering exception for certain carts used solely to travel to and from the municipal golf course.
City staff and the police chief framed the ordinance as a public‑safety and regulatory response to longstanding informal use of golf carts on local streets. The ordinance requires vehicles authorized under the article to meet defined equipment standards (lighting, turn signals, rear‑view mirrors, seat belts where applicable and the ability to reach a safe operating speed on streets the city authorizes). The police department will inspect vehicles prior to registration and issue a distinctive city plate. The ordinance also prohibits operation on US Route 44 and its shoulders and medians; crossing US 44 is allowed only at intersections with a traffic signal and a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
Council added several last‑minute amendments before adoption: (1) require inspection by the Alice Police Department prior to registration; (2) strike the windshield‑wiper requirement as unrealistic for many removable windshields; (3) change the grandfathered plate color language from a specific color to a "distinctive color"; (4) set the ordinance effective date as Oct. 1, 2026 to give staff time to plan inspection/permit processes and fee schedules.
The council debated enforcement approaches, public education and safety concerns, including age and licensing requirements and the possibility of seizure for repeated violations. The police chief stressed that current informal use often violates state transportation code (underage drivers, equipment deficiencies) and called for an inspection/permit program to improve compliance.
Outcome: Ordinance adopted by council vote with the listed amendments. Staff will return to establish fees and run an outreach/inspection program ahead of the Oct. 1 effective date.
