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Ocean Springs adds 96-inch rule for downtown golf-cart parking
Summary
The Ocean Springs Board approved an ordinance designating downtown parking for motor vehicles and low-speed vehicles, adding a subsection that allows golf carts longer than 96 inches to occupy two designated golf-cart spaces after debate about safety, width and enforcement.
The Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen voted to adopt an ordinance designating downtown parking for motor vehicles and low-speed vehicles and added a provision allowing golf carts that exceed 96 inches in length to occupy two designated golf-cart spaces.
The amendment grew out of a public comment and council discussion about the practical effects of a ban on golf-cart parking in regular vehicle spaces. Dallas, a resident who identified himself during public comment, urged the board to consider cart dimensions and family use, saying the city's proposed language could "create unintended problems" for larger permitted carts and low-speed vehicles and asked the board to "consider more flexible standards that account for part length, safety, and the actual parking conditions downtown." The board's debate focused on whether to regulate by vehicle type or by measurable length and on the safety effects of parking longer carts along narrow downtown streets.
Supporters of the 96-inch threshold argued that length-based rules are simpler to enforce and less likely to displace automobiles; Chief Dye and other members noted the goal is to keep golf carts in designated golf-cart spaces and avoid having cars use those spaces. After discussion, a council member moved to add a subsection permitting golf carts longer than 96 inches to occupy two designated golf-cart parking spaces; the motion passed on a roll-call vote, and the mayor announced, "The ayes have it."
The ordinance as amended applies to the downtown area the board identified during the meeting (roughly from Cache Alley to Russell, the area the staff packet flagged as affecting about nine car parking spaces). The board directed staff to prepare the updated ordinance language, add signage where needed and return with final markings or drawings if restriping is required.
Next steps: staff will draft the ordinance language incorporating the 96-inch provision and address enforcement and signage options before final implementation.
