Manatee County Government
Manatee County reaffirms support for golf cart use on sidewalks but carts are still not ready for local sidewalks
Once the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) publishes state standards for golf cart use on sidewalks, Manatee County authorities will finalize the County’s process and criteria that will allow local neighborhoods to apply for golf cart use on their sidewalks and streets.
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Sept. 1, 2010) – Manatee County Commissioners today reaffirmed their commitment to finding a safe solution for golf cart use on local sidewalks.
A new Florida law goes into effect today (Sept. 1) that allows municipalities and counties to enact ordinances to permit golf cart use on designated sidewalks. County Commissioners made the legislation to permit golf carts on sidewalks one of their top legislative requests in 2010. During a Board work session Tuesday, Manatee County Public Works Director Ron Schulhofer said the new law does not give golf cart drivers unlimited permission to drive carts on sidewalks throughout the community.
"The new legislation has taken effect, but that does not mean people can take their golf carts out on sidewalks,” Schulhofer said. “It will require a special ordinance from the Board.”
Once the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) publishes state standards for golf cart use on sidewalks, Manatee County authorities will finalize the County’s process and criteria that will allow local neighborhoods to apply for golf cart use on their sidewalks and streets.
Federal transportation rules prohibit golf carts from being driven on sidewalks funded with federal dollars, such as U.S. 301. But there is an exception provision that Schulhofer’s Public Works team will pursue.
“No one has ever applied for one of these type exceptions, so no one has ever been granted one,” Schulhofer said. “It’s going to take quite a bit of effort, time and money.”
For more information on golf cart use on Manatee County roads, call Manatee County Public Works at (941) 749-3502. For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org