TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Regarding Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles; Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, by Removing Subsection (B) of Section 74-152; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-03 as presented and continue to second reading on February 10, 2026.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Ordinance No. 2026-03 as presented and continue to second reading on February 10, 2026.
• Pros: Aligns the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, with Florida State Statutes, eliminating redundancy and potential legal conflicts.
• Cons: Could require public education/outreach to ensure residents understand the change.
Option 2: Deny Ordinance No. 2026-03.
.
• Pros: May provide added reassurance to residents who prefer more restrictive traffic regulations.
• Cons: Keeps duplicative, conflicting language in the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, that is already covered by state law.
Option 3: Provide direction to revise the Ordinance and bring it back for a second reading at a later date.
• Pros: Allows time for refinements based on Commission input.
• Cons: Delays implementation; may require additional legal review.
Background Information
The City of North Port currently regulates low-speed vehicle (LSV) operation through Section 74-152(b) of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida. This subsection restricts LSV operation on any road where the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour (mph), except when crossing such a road at an intersection and on a specified list of roadways regardless of the posted speed limit. However, most streets in Section 74-152(b) have posted speed limits exceeding 35 mph and would already be restricted for LSV operation.
Under Florida State Statute 316.2122(1)(a), LSVs, mini trucks, and certain autonomous delivery vehicles are legally allowed to operate only on streets with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. Therefore, maintaining local restrictions on streets with higher speed limits is unnecessary and effectively duplicates state law.
Two streets currently identified in Section 74-152(b) - Panacea Boulevard and Biscayne Drive - have posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. The North Port Police Department has reviewed LSV operations on these streets and identified no safety concerns. Ordinance No. 2026-03 would permit LSVs to operate on these two roadways or any other roadways in the City with an operational posted speed limit of 35 mph r or less.
Ordinance No. 2026-03 serves the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of North Port, Florida.
Ordinance No. 2026-03 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Business Impact Estimate for Ordinance No. 2026-03 will be posted timely on the City's website prior to final reading, per Florida State Statutes Section 166.041(4).
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2026-03
2. City Code Section 74-152(b)
3. Florida Statute 316.2122(1)(a)
4. Business Impact Estimate
Prepared by: Jamie Ebershoff, Executive Assistant
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police