New Port Richey City Council approved a new ordinance at second reading that allows golf carts on streets East of U.S. 19. There are some streets on which golf carts will continue to be prohibited, including all of Congress Street, Madison Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, Marine Parkway between U.S. 19 and Grand Boulevard, and Trouble Creek Road.

Golf carts will pay an annual registration fee of $25 and will include a yearly inspection at the NPR Police Department building on Adams Street behind Richey Elementary. Golf carts are required to have brakes, turn signals, brake lights, seat belts, adequate steering, a horn, tires in adequate shape, and a rear view mirror. Owners must also provide proof of insurance at the time of inspection, and will receive a map of streets where the carts are allowed.

Golf cart “operators” are also required to leave the street to allow motor vehicles to “proceed at a lawful speed.” The ordinance goes into effect on June 1st, and carts may operate with the required licenses after that date.