Golf Cart Ordinance

July 23, 2025

NOTICE

Golf Cart Ordinance

Amending Title VII of the Municipal Code Regulating the Operation of Golf Carts

Beginning August 1st, 2025, City of Mattoon ordinance 2025-5497 will take effect regulating the operation of golf carts on city streets within the city. The complete ordinance can be found here and should be read in its entirety by anyone wishing to register a golf cart for use.

Some quick facts concerning the ordinance are as follows.

  • All golf carts operated upon a city street must first be registered at the Mattoon Police Department located at 1710 Wabash Ave, Monday through Friday, between 8am-4pm. Proof of liability insurance and a valid driver’s license are required at the time of registration. A release of liability waiver will be signed at this time.  The golf cart being registered must be trailered to the Mattoon Police Department for inspection as part of the registration.  A registration fee of $150 will be collected at the time of registration on any date between January 1st through June 30th of any year.  For any registration occurring between July 1st through December 31st of any year, there will be a registration fee of $75 collected.  Registration will remain valid for only the calendar year it was purchased and will expire December 31st of each year.
  • You must be 18 years of age and a valid driver to register/operate a golf cart upon a city street. All passengers must wear a seat belt, and any child still requiring a child safety seat per IL State Statute will not be allowed to travel in the golf cart.
  • All golf carts registered must be equipped with functional equipment as outlined in the ordinance. Operators must always obey the rules of the road per Illinois State Statute while operating the golf cart. Golf carts may not exceed 30 MPH.
  • At no time shall a golf cart be operated upon a state highway or any city street where the speed limit exceeds 30 miles per hour. These prohibited roads may be crossed only at the marked golf cart crossing intersections as outlined on the map below.  Prohibited roads for travel are marked in red, while allowable routes are marked in green.  The only allowable crossings of prohibited roads are marked with a blue circle.
  • Violations of this section will result in enforcement action by the Mattoon Police Department and may result in fines of not less than $50 and no more than $750 per each violation.

 

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