ORDINANCE NO. 08-2025 CITY OF PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI AMENDING CHAPTER 82, ARTICLE VIII OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS AND LOW-SPEED VEHICLES IN THE CITY WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature passed House Bill 1774, during the 2017 regular session; and WHEREAS, House Bill 1774 allows the legal use of golf carts on selected public roads and streets within the City of Pascagoula, provided that certain requirements are met; and WHEREAS, on September 5, 2017, the City Council for the City of Pascagoula adopted Ordinance No. 11-2017, allowing the use of golf carts on selected public roads and streets within city limits; and WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, the City Council for the City of Pascagoula adopted Ordinance No. 2020-07, adding registration requirements related to the operation of golf carts; and WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature passed Senate Bill 2605, during the 2021 regular session; and WHEREAS, as it pertains to the City of Pascagoula, Senate Bill 2605 updates and modifies the statutory authority related to the use of golf carts and low-speed vehicles in municipalities; and WHEREAS, since the adoption of Senate Bill 2605, interest has been expressed regarding the development of golf cart rental business, and regulations currently do not exist to ensure the safe and efficient operation of such business; and WHEREAS, to promote the safety and welfare of the community as it pertains to the use of golf carts and low-speed vehicles, the City Council for the City of Pascagoula hereby amends Chapter 82, Article VIII of the Code of Ordinances as set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCAGOULA AS FOLLOWS:[1] SECTION 1. Chapter 82, Article VIII, Section 82-425 is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 82-425. Definitions. The following term and phrase, when used in this chapter, shall have the meaning ascribed to it in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Golf Cart means a motor vehicle that is designated and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting and recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty-five (25) miles per hour and is equipped with a parking brake, head lamps, tail lamps, seat belts, and front and rear turn signals. Low-speed vehicle means any four-wheeled electric or gasoline-powered vehicle that has a top speed greater than twenty (20) miles per hour but less than twenty-five (25) miles per hour and is equipped with safety equipment as required under 49 CFR Section 571.500. SECTION 2. Chapter 82, Article VIII, Section 82-426 is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 82-426. Areas of City of Pascagoula where golf carts and low-speed vehicles may be used; requirements for drivers of golf carts and low-speed vehicles; operation of golf carts and low-speed vehicles; and violation of traffic laws. a) Golf carts and low-speed vehicles may not be operated on urban interstate highways, urban freeways and expressways, urban principal arterial streets or urban minor arterial streets as defined by the City's comprehensive plan except for the crossing of these streets, in which case the shortest travelling distance to do so shall be required. b) Drivers are required to operate golf carts and low-speed vehicles only in the outside lane of multi-lane streets and roads, when applicable. c) Any person operating a golf cart or low-speed vehicle on City public roads and streets must have in his or her possession a valid driver's license or temporary driver's permit and proof of financial responsibility as required under Section 63-15-1, et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972. d) Violation of traffic laws or regulations of this ordinance may result in issuance of traffic citations in the same manner as if the infraction occurred while operating a vehicle. e) Golf carts and low-speed vehicles may only be parked in the same manner and at the same place designated for parking of motor vehicles or in parking spaces specifically dedicated for golf carts or low-speed vehicles. SECTION 3. The heading for Chapter 82, Article VIII, Section 82-427 is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 82-427. Registration requirements for golf carts and low-speed vehicles. SECTION 4. Chapter 82, Article VIII, Section 82-428 is hereby adopted and shall read as follows: Sec. 82-428. Golf cart and low-speed vehicle rental businesses. a) Any person or business engaged in the renting of golf carts or low-speed vehicles shall require that the operator of such vehicle shall have in his or her possession a valid driver's license or temporary driver's permit and proof of financial responsibility as required under Section 63-15-1, et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972 while operating such vehicle. b) Any person or business engaged in the renting of golf carts or low-speed vehicles shall provide the renter of any such rental vehicle a copy of Chapter 82, Article VIII of the City of Pascagoula's Code of Ordinances. SECTION 5. Chapter 82, Article VIII, Section 82-429 is hereby adopted and shall read as follows: Sec. 82-429. Liability Disclaimer. This Ordinance is adopted to address the interest of public safety. Golf Cart and/or Low-speed Vehicles are not designed or manufactured to be used on the public streets and the City is no way advocates or endorses their operation on public streets or roads. The City, by regulations this operation, is addressing obvious safety issues, and adoption of this Ordinance is not to be relied upon as determination that operation on public streets is safe or advisable if done in accordance with this Ordinance. All person who operate or ride upon Golf Carts or Low-speed Vehicles on public streets or road do so at their own risk and peril, and must be observant of an attentive to the safety of themselves and others, including their passengers, other motorist, bicyclists and pedestrians. The City has no liability under any theory of liability and the City assumes no liability, for permitting Golf Carts or Low-speed Vehicles to be operated on the public streets and road under this legislation granted by the State Legislature. SECTION 6. This Ordinance shall become effective as provided by law. SECTION 7. This Ordinance shall be codified. The motion to approve and adopt the foregoing Ordinance was made by Councilman Parker and seconded by Councilman Fornett, and the following vote was recorded: Mayor Willis Absent Councilman Stallworth Voting Aye Councilman Fornett Voting Aye Councilwoman Young Voting Aye Councilman Parker Voting Aye Councilman Blythe Voting Aye Councilwoman Brandenstein Voting Aye RESOLVED, this the 7th day of October, 2025. ATTEST: CITY COUNCIL /s/ Karen Kennedy /s/ Darcie Young City Clerk Mayor Pro Tem IPL0280297 Oct 12 2025