106-25 - “REVISED” ORDINANCE NO. 2025-10 An ordinance regulating the use of Golf Cart & Off Road Vehicles
“REVISED” ORDINANCE NO. 2025-10
An ordinance regulating the use of Golf Cart & Off Road Vehicles
Board of Commissioners
Pulaski County, IN
BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED, by the Pulaski County Board of Commissioners as follows:
Golf cart” means a four-wheeled motor vehicle originally and specifically designed and intended to transport one or more individuals and golf clubs for the purpose of playing the game of golf on a golf course, as defined in IC 9-13-2-69.7.
“Financial responsibility” means liability insurance coverage on a golf cart in an amount not less than the amount required by Indiana law for motor vehicles operated on public highways in the State of Indiana.
“Off-road vehicle” means a motor driven vehicle capable of cross-country travel:
1. ithout benefit of a road; and
2. n or immediately over land, water, snow, ice marsh, swampland, or other natural terrain;
3. nd the term includes the following:
a. multi-wheel drive or low-pressure tire vehicle;
b. n amphibious machine;
c. ground effect air cushion vehicle;
d. n all-terrain vehicle as defined in IC 14-8-2-5.7;
e. recreational off-highway vehicle as defined in IC 14-8-2-233.5;
f. ther means of transportation deriving motive power from a source other than muscle or wind;
4. nd the term does not include the following:
a. farm vehicle being used for farming, including, but not limited to, a farm wagon as defined in IC 9-13-2-60(2);
b. vehicle used for military or law enforcement purposes;
c. construction, mining, or other industrial related vehicle used in performance of the vehicle’s common function, including, but not limited to, a farm wagon as defined in IC 9-13-2-60(2);
d. snowmobile (as defined by IC 9-13-2-261);
e. registered aircraft;
f. ny other vehicle property registered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles;
g. ny watercraft that is registered under Indiana statutes;
h. golf cart vehicle
PLACE AND TIME OF OPERATION
Golf carts and off-road vehicles may not be operated upon, along, or on the public highways, roads, or bridges within the unincorporated areas of Pulaski County except as provided in this section.
B. olf carts and off-road vehicles may be operated upon, along, or on the public highways, roads, or bridges within the unincorporated areas of Pulaski County, only between sunrise and sunset.
C. olf carts and off-road vehicles may cross a highway in the state highway system, at right angles, in order to travel from one Pulaski County highway to another Pulaski County highway when the operation can be done safely.
OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS AND OFF ROAD VEHICLES
Golf carts and off-road vehicles may not be operated on public highways unless all of the following conditions are met:
A. golf cart or off-road vehicle operator must be 16 years of age,
B. he operator of a golf cart or off-road vehicle must carry proof of financial responsibility when operating a golf cart or off-road vehicle on a highway.
C. olf carts and off-road vehicles shall be operated in compliance with all traffic laws and regulations of the State of Indiana regarding motor vehicles.
D. he number of occupants in a golf cart or off-road vehicle shall not exceed the capacity shown on the golf cart or off-road vehicle’s registration.
E. o one under two years of age may ride on a golf cart or off-road vehicle, and no one under 10 years of age shall be allowed on the back seat of a golf cart or off-road vehicle.
F. ll passengers must be seated while the golf cart or off-road vehicle is in motion.
VEHICLE STANDARDS
Golf carts and off-road vehicles operating on public roads in Pulaski County shall meet the following requirements:
1. rakes in good working condition;
2. quipped with manufacturer’s serial number plate, rear view mirror, headlights, taillights, brake lights, front and rear reflectors;
3. ehicle seating capacity shall not exceed the vehicle’s manufactured capacity;
4. he vehicle displays a triangular “slow moving vehicle” emblem on the rear of the vehicle in accordance with IC 9-21-9-2; and
5. he vehicle displays a registration sticker issued by the Sheriff in a location that is in plain sight.
6. olf carts and off-road vehicles operating on public roads in Pulaski County shall be in good working condition.
REGISTRATION OF GOLF CARTS AND OFF ROAD VEHICLES
The owner of a golf cart or off-road vehicle to be operated on highways in Pulaski County must register the golf cart or off-road vehicle at the Sheriff’s office annually. Golf cart and off-road vehicle registrations will be valid for one year beginning January 1st and ending December 31st each calendar year.
B. n order to register a golf cart or off-road vehicle, the owner shall submit to the Sheriff a registration application which shall include the following:
1. wner shall provide the following information or certifications about the vehicle:
a. ake, model and year of golf cart or off-road vehicle if available;
b. erial number of golf cart or off-road vehicle if available;
c. ehicle capacity recommended by manufacture;
d. ehicle is a “golf cart” or “off-road vehicle” as defined by state law.
e. rakes are in good working condition;
f. quipped with manufacturer’s serial number plate, rear view mirror, headlights, taillights, brake lights, front and rear reflectors;
g. he golf cart or off-road vehicle displays a triangular “slow moving vehicle” emblem on the rear of the vehicle in accordance with IC 9-21-9-2.
2. ust be 16 years of age to operate the vehicle. If under the age of 18 must wear a helmet;
3. roof of financial responsibility;
4. ailing address and telephone number of owner; and
5. nnual registration fee.
6. The duty to notify a conservation or law enforcement officer with jurisdiction where an accident involving a Regulated Vehicle occurs by the quickest means of communication.
C. he Sheriff shall review each registration application for compliance with this section.
1. n the event that an application meets the foregoing registration requirements, the Sheriff shall:
a. esignate a unique registration number for a newly registered golf cart or off-road vehicle and retain the golf cart or off-road vehicle’s registration information;
b. ssue a registration decal bearing the golf cart or off-road vehicle’s registration number to the owner of a newly registered golf cart or off-road vehicle; and
c. ssue a registration decal bearing the calendar year to the owner.
2. n the event that an application fails to meet the foregoing registration requirements, the Sheriff shall return the application materials to the applicant and delineate the reasons the registration application is rejected.
D. he Sheriff shall maintain a record of:
1. egistration acceptances and denials;
2. ist of all golf carts and off-road vehicles with active registrations; and
3. egistration documents submitted by owners of actively registered golf carts and off-road vehicles.
FEES AND EXPENSES
A. he annual golf cart or off-road vehicle registration fee shall be $25.00. With the issuance of the golf cart or off-road vehicle registration, the Sheriff shall furnish a registration sticker to the owner.
B. ees collected under this section shall be placed in the Sheriff’s Accident Report Account No. 1101
C. xpenditures related to the performance of the Sheriff’s duties in registering and inspecting golf carts and off-road vehicles shall be made from Sheriff’s Accident Report Account No. ___1101___ pursuant to the claims process of the Board of Commissioners.
PENALTY
Operation of a golf cart or off-road vehicle on a highway in Pulaski County in violation of this chapter shall constitute an ordinance violation and the owner or operator shall be liable for a fine in the amount of $200.00.
EXCEPTIONS
Employees, agents and officials of the State of Indiana, Pulaski County Government, and municipalities within Pulaski County while engaged in government business are exempt from application of this chapter.
A. ubject to the discretion of the Sheriff, temporary exceptions to this chapter may be granted to participants in parades, festivals and other special events.
Also excepting those vehicles that are used primarily for a farming operation, per the Pulaski County Commissioners on June 2, 2025.
Approved and signed this 19th day of May 2025 by the PULASKI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Donald Street Jr., Michael McClure, Jennifer Knebel
Attest: Teresa Bryant, Auditor, Pulaski County, IN
106-25 G 6/25, 7/2