{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-916.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-916.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-916.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-916.2.html"}],"law_id":81285,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81285,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.2","catch_line":"Designation of public highways for golf cart and utility vehicle operations","history":"2004, c. 746; 2006, c. 728; 2008, c. 196; 2009, cc. 68, 504; 2011, c. 469; 2012, c. 9; 2013, c. 64; 2014, c. 69; 2017, c. 357; 2019, c. 104; 2022, c. 449; 2023, c. 451.","full_text":"A\n\nNo portion of the public highways may be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles unless the governing body of the county, city, or town in which that portion of the highway is located has reviewed and approved such highway usage.B\n\nThe governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance authorize the operation of golf carts and utility vehicles on designated public highways within its boundaries after (i) considering the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using such highways and (ii) determining that golf cart and utility vehicle operation on particular highways is compatible with state and local transportation plans and consistent with the Commonwealth’s Statewide Pedestrian Policy provided for in § 33.2-354.C\n\nNotwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no town that has not established its own police department, as defined in § 9.1-165, may authorize the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles. The provision of this subsection shall not apply to the Towns of Claremont, Clifton, Dendron, Irvington, Ivor, Jarratt, Saxis, Stony Creek, Urbanna, or Wachapreague.D\n\nNo public highway shall be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles if such golf cart and utility vehicle operations will impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicle traffic.E\n\nThe county, city, or town that has authorized the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles shall be responsible for the installation and continuing maintenance of any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles. Such county, city, or town may include in its ordinance for designating highways the ability to recover its costs of the signs and maintenance pertaining thereto from organizations, individuals, or entities requesting the designations. The cost of installation and continuing maintenance of any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles shall not be paid by the Virginia Department of Transportation.F\n\nNotwithstanding the other provisions of this section, employees of the Department of Conservation and Recreation may operate golf carts and utility vehicles on those portions of public highways located within Department of Conservation and Recreation property and on Virginia Department of Transportation-maintained highways that are adjacent to Department of Conservation and Recreation property, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":291326,"text":"No portion of the public highways may be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles unless the governing body of the county, city, or town in which that portion of the highway is located has reviewed and approved such highway usage.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":291327,"text":"The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance authorize the operation of golf carts and utility vehicles on designated public highways within its boundaries after (i) considering the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using such highways and (ii) determining that golf cart and utility vehicle operation on particular highways is compatible with state and local transportation plans and consistent with the Commonwealth’s Statewide Pedestrian Policy provided for in § 33.2-354.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":291328,"text":"Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no town that has not established its own police department, as defined in § 9.1-165, may authorize the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles. The provision of this subsection shall not apply to the Towns of Claremont, Clifton, Dendron, Irvington, Ivor, Jarratt, Saxis, Stony Creek, Urbanna, or Wachapreague.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":291329,"text":"No public highway shall be designated for use by golf carts and utility vehicles if such golf cart and utility vehicle operations will impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicle traffic.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":291330,"text":"The county, city, or town that has authorized the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles shall be responsible for the installation and continuing maintenance of any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles. Such county, city, or town may include in its ordinance for designating highways the ability to recover its costs of the signs and maintenance pertaining thereto from organizations, individuals, or entities requesting the designations. The cost of installation and continuing maintenance of any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles shall not be paid by the Virginia Department of Transportation.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":291331,"text":"Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, employees of the Department of Conservation and Recreation may operate golf carts and utility vehicles on those portions of public highways located within Department of Conservation and Recreation property and on Virginia Department of Transportation-maintained highways that are adjacent to Department of Conservation and Recreation property, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15856,"edition_id":1,"name":"Golf Cart and Utility Vehicle Operation","identifier":"13.1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12875,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:00:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:00:37","permalink":{"id":230533,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15856,"identifier":"13.1","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12875,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":230189,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12875,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68017,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.1","catch_line":"Golf cart and utility vehicle operations on public highways not otherwise designated for such operation","url":"\/46.2-916.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.1","metadata":false},{"id":81285,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.2","catch_line":"Designation of public highways for golf cart and utility vehicle operations","url":"\/46.2-916.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.2","metadata":false},{"id":61247,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.3","catch_line":"Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways","url":"\/46.2-916.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":68017,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.1","catch_line":"Golf cart and utility vehicle operations on public highways not otherwise designated for such operation","url":"\/46.2-916.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":61247,"structure_id":15856,"section_number":"46.2-916.3","catch_line":"Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways","url":"\/46.2-916.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-916.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 746<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 11 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2006, chapter 728<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 196<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 68<\/a> and 504<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 469<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 9<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 64<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 69<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 357<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 104<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 449<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 451<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":57595,"section_number":"9.1-165","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-165\/"}],"permalink":{"id":230539,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81285,"identifier":"46.2-916.2","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.2","url":"\/46.2-916.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-916.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/13.1\/46.2-916.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Designation of public highways for golf cart and utility vehicle operations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-916.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No portion of the public highways<\/span><\/span> may be designated for use by golf carts<\/span> and utility vehicles<\/span> unless the governing body<\/span> of the county, city, or town in which that portion of the highway<\/span> is located has reviewed and approved such highway<\/span> usage. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The governing body<\/span> of any county, city, or town may by ordinance<\/span> authorize the operation of golf carts<\/span> and utility vehicles<\/span> on designated public highways<\/span><\/span> within its boundaries after (i) considering the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle<\/span> traffic using such highways<\/span><\/span> and (ii) determining that golf cart<\/span> and utility vehicle<\/span> operation on particular highways<\/span><\/span> is compatible with state and local transportation plans and consistent with the Commonwealth’s Statewide Pedestrian Policy provided for in § 33.2-354<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no town that has not established its own police department<\/span>, as defined in § 9.1-165<\/a>, may authorize the operation of golf carts<\/span> or utility vehicles<\/span>. The provision of this subsection shall not apply to the Towns of Claremont, Clifton, Dendron, Irvington, Ivor, Jarratt, Saxis, Stony Creek, Urbanna, or Wachapreague. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No public highway<\/span> shall be designated for use by golf carts<\/span> and utility vehicles<\/span> if such golf cart<\/span> and utility vehicle<\/span> operations will impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicle<\/span> traffic. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The county, city, or town that has authorized the operation of golf carts<\/span> or utility vehicles<\/span> shall be responsible for the installation and continuing maintenance of any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts<\/span> or utility vehicles<\/span>. Such county, city, or town may include in its ordinance<\/span> for designating highways<\/span><\/span> the ability to recover its costs of the signs and maintenance pertaining thereto from organizations, individuals, or entities requesting the designations. The cost of installation and continuing maintenance of any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts<\/span> or utility vehicles<\/span> shall not be paid by the Virginia Department<\/span> of Transportation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, employees of the Department<\/span> of Conservation and Recreation may operate golf carts<\/span> and utility vehicles<\/span> on those portions of public highways<\/span><\/span> located within Department<\/span> of Conservation and Recreation property and on Virginia Department<\/span> of Transportation-maintained highways<\/span><\/span> that are adjacent to Department<\/span> of Conservation and Recreation property, provided the golf cart<\/span> or utility vehicle<\/span> is being operated on highways<\/span><\/span> with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per hour. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDESIGNATION OF PUBLIC HIGHWAYS FOR GOLF CART AND UTILITY VEHICLE OPERATIONS (\u00a7\n46.2-916.2)\n\nA. No portion of the public highways may be designated for use by golf carts and\nutility vehicles unless the governing body of the county, city, or town in which\nthat portion of the highway is located has reviewed and approved such highway\nusage.\n\nB. The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance authorize\nthe operation of golf carts and utility vehicles on designated public highways\nwithin its boundaries after (i) considering the speed, volume, and character of\nmotor vehicle traffic using such highways and (ii) determining that golf cart\nand utility vehicle operation on particular highways is compatible with state\nand local transportation plans and consistent with the Commonwealth’s\nStatewide Pedestrian Policy provided for in § 33.2-354.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no town that has not\nestablished its own police department, as defined in § 9.1-165, may\nauthorize the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles. The provision of this\nsubsection shall not apply to the Towns of Claremont, Clifton, Dendron,\nIrvington, Ivor, Jarratt, Saxis, Stony Creek, Urbanna, or Wachapreague.\n\nD. No public highway shall be designated for use by golf carts and utility\nvehicles if such golf cart and utility vehicle operations will impede the safe\nand efficient flow of motor vehicle traffic.\n\nE. The county, city, or town that has authorized the operation of golf carts or\nutility vehicles shall be responsible for the installation and continuing\nmaintenance of any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts or utility\nvehicles. Such county, city, or town may include in its ordinance for\ndesignating highways the ability to recover its costs of the signs and\nmaintenance pertaining thereto from organizations, individuals, or entities\nrequesting the designations. The cost of installation and continuing maintenance\nof any signs pertaining to the operation of golf carts or utility vehicles shall\nnot be paid by the Virginia Department of Transportation.\n\nF. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, employees of the\nDepartment of Conservation and Recreation may operate golf carts and utility\nvehicles on those portions of public highways located within Department of\nConservation and Recreation property and on Virginia Department of\nTransportation-maintained highways that are adjacent to Department of\nConservation and Recreation property, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle\nis being operated on highways with speed limits of no more than 35 miles per\nhour.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, c. 746; 2006, c. 728; 2008, c. 196; 2009, cc. 68, 504; 2011, c.\n469; 2012, c. 9; 2013, c. 64; 2014, c. 69; 2017, c. 357; 2019, c. 104; 2022, c.\n449; 2023, c. 451.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}