In a county known for its golf-cart lifestyle, the county seat, Fayetteville, has no golf cart ordinance.

So, Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission started on a path Jan. 10 designed to consider implementing a golf cart ordinance. Board members said it was only a beginning and assigned no timetable to the consideration.

Gleaned from similar ordinances, the general proposal examined issues such as registration and inspection, permits, fees, operating regulations, authorized users, hazardous activities and special rules, liabilities and penalties.

Under consideration is the requirement to have motorized carts that will be operated on recreation paths, permitted streets and other accessible areas.

Under preliminary rules to be considered, carts must be registered within 10 days of purchase. Decals will be affixed to the cart and must be visible at all times. The driver of the golf cart must be at least 16 years old and have a valid drivers license.

The proposal calls for an annual permit to operate the cart within Fayetteville. A $15 fee is proposed for city residents while a $75 registration/user fee would be required for non-city residents.

The ordinance would prohibit golf carts from traveling on major streets and collector streets. Major streets were defined as those designed and used for high traffic volumes and crosstown traffic movement.

Major streets include Ga. highways 85, 54, 92, 314, as well as North Jeff Davis Drive and Jimmie Mayfield Boulevard.

Collector streets were defined as those designed for moderate traffic volumes, generally having right-of-way over intersecting minor streets.

Identified collector streets included New Hope Road, White Road, Banks Road, Beauregard Boulevard/Redwine Road, Grady Avenue, Hood Avenue, Old Norton Road, Lafayette Avenue, Brandywine Boulevard, Ginger Cake Road, South Jeff Davis Road, Ramah Road, Price Road, Lester Road and Sandy Creek Road.

Persons 15 years of age or older not having a valid drivers license would be allowed to operate the cart on permitted areas if a licensed driver 18 years or older is present in the front seat of the cart. Golf carts could operate on sidewalks provided the driver yields the right-of-way. Night time operation would require functional headlights and taillights.

The proposal for gasoline-powered golf carts requires that they be equipped with an exhaust system in good working order in which the emission system has not been altered. The golf cart would require an inspection every two years. Only a person 18 years of age or older could register the cart.

Ordinance violations would result in a first offense fine of $50, a second offense fine of $100 and a $250 fine if a third offense is committed within one year of conviction of a second offense. The owner or family member would be prohibited from registering the cart for a period of two years following a third conviction.

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