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Council tables golf-cart and low-speed vehicle ordinance after public comments
Summary
After public comment and detailed debate over definitions, registration fees and fines, the Diamondhead council tabled proposed code changes distinguishing golf carts from low-speed vehicles and asked staff to provide a clean draft showing fee and penalty revisions.
The Diamondhead City Council on Feb. 3 heard robust public comment and council debate on proposed changes to Article 9 of the city's code that would clarify definitions and registration rules for golf carts and low-speed vehicles; after discussion the council voted to table the ordinance to allow staff and the city attorney to prepare a clean draft incorporating requested edits.
At public comment, Bill, who identified himself as a resident, urged the council to align local definitions with state law and to exempt ATVs and vehicles exceeding 25 mph from the "low-speed vehicle" category. "I would also add in the definitions that ATVs and vehicles that go more than 25 miles an hour are not considered low speed vehicles," he said. Bill also asked that the rules allow travel "to and from a residence on one of those streets" rather than restricting use only to residents living on those streets, and he questioned a proposed flat $50 annual registration fee and lack of proration.
City staff and the city attorney explained the ordinance revisions are intended to separate golf carts (generally under 20 mph) from low-speed vehicles, which federal regulations treat differently. The city attorney clarified that golf carts kept on a golf course and not driven on public roads need not meet the federal safety equipment requirements, but "if they are ever on the public roads, they do have to have the registration," the attorney said.
Several council members said $50 seemed high and proposed lowering the initial registration to $24 plus a $1 document fee, with higher fines for repeat violations. One council member recommended a first-offense fine of $100 and $200 for subsequent offenses in the same year to encourage registration while keeping the upfront fee modest.
Council members also discussed operational details such as issuing colored stickers for different vehicle classes and having city staff apply stickers at City Hall to ensure accurate placement and assignment. After the discussion, a council member moved to table the ordinance so staff can produce a clean copy with the agreed changes and collect public input; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff and the city attorney will prepare a clean ordinance draft reflecting the council's fee and fine guidance, adjust forms and maps as needed, and return the item to a future meeting for consideration.
