Union Commission Meeting. September 4, 2024. Photo by Hayley Jarman

Residents may soon be able to drive golf carts around Union.

The city commission had a first reading of a new golf cart ordinance that would allow and regulate golf carts on roads during a meeting Wednesday evening.

There will be several restrictions and requirements before golf cart owners can drive on approved roadways in the city, including:

  • Operator’s license required.
  • Must be insured.
  • Mandatory inspection of vehicle by sheriff’s office. 
  • Must have a permit and registration sticker clearly displayed.
  • May not operate on roads with speed limit over 35 mph, or any state highway.

Violations could lead to a fine of up to $250 and impoundment of the vehicle. 

Once the ordinance is passed, residents of neighborhoods will be able to complete an application and petition with the specified amount of signatures based on the size of the neighborhood and number of roads being requested. For roads that have 20 or less households, 10 signatures or 50% of residents must sign the petition. For roads requested with 50 or more homes, 25 separate signatures or 50% of residents must sign.  

The application will then be reviewed by the city administrator, Amy Safran, and the city’s public works director, Paul Kremer. 

The review process will primarily focus on safety.  This would include, but isn’t limited to, looking at roadways, accident history of the road(s) and any pedestrian conflicts. The review will also consider input from the Boone County Sheriff’s Department when making the decision to approve or deny the request. 

After the application review is approved, the commission will make the final decision. 

The city plans to have the final reading and vote on the ordinance at its next meeting on Sept. 16.