Panama City Golf Cart Rules

Panama City Expands Golf Cart Designated Roadways & Rules

PANAMA CITY, FL– The City of Panama City Commission voted 4-1 to adopt Ordinance No. 3233 amending the Golf Carts section of the Municipal Code to include the St. Andrews area and the Downtown area as areas that golf carts can travel on or cross streets therein. These two new locations are in addition to Ordinances 2664, 2654, 2570 and 2518 that designate streets within the Cove Neighborhood, Millville Neighborhood, SweetBay Neighborhood and Venetian Villa Neighborhood as safe for golf cart operation. 

The attached maps show the designated streets in Panama City for golf cart operation. 

Golf Cart Operation on City Streets:

In accordance with Florida Statute 316.212, golf carts are defined as a vehicle designed and manufactured for sport or recreational use, are not capable of exceeding 20 mph and shall not be modified to increase power or change wheel base. 

• Golf carts cannot be driven on State or County Roads or in the right-of-way. They cannot cross State or County Roads unless designated by the City (none designated by Panama City at this time). They can only be driven on roadways or alleys designated by the city as safe for golf cart operation (neighborhoods listed above). 
• To travel on roadways, a golf cart must have efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror and red reflectorized warning devices on its front and rear. All operators of golf carts must be in possession of a valid driver’s license. 
• In the designated golf cart friendly areas, golf carts can only travel the roadways between the hours of official sunrise and sunset, unless they are equipped with functioning headlights, brake lights, taillights, turn signals and a windshield. 
• The number of passengers on a golf cart is limited to no more passengers than there is reasonable space to sit on a seat or seats in the cart. 

Note: Golf carts of this manner are different than low-speed vehicles. Low speed vehicles means any four-wheeled vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 mph but less than 25 mph. Low-speed vehicles can be driven on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less, and they must be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, taillights, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts and vehicle identification numbers (s. 316.2122). It must also be registered and insured, in accordance with s. 320.02 like any other motor vehicle that operates on roadways.

STILL TO COME: The City Commission will continue discussion in meetings to come regarding a registration policy for golf carts that will be driven on city streets. It has been said by the Commission, City staff and Police Chief that having a way to identify the golf carts will aid in regulation, education of the rules and enforcement/policing.