Homeowner associations and community development districts in Land O' Lakes, Lutz and Odessa could soon apply to open paved multiuse trails to golf cart traffic under a proposed Pasco County ordinance that moved one step closer to a commission vote after the county published a required estimate Sunday, Aug. 16.
Pasco County posted its official Business Impact Estimate for the ordinance Sunday, Aug. 16, through Monday, Aug. 17, a mandatory procedural step under Florida Statute §125.66 before the Board of County Commissioners can schedule a public hearing and vote. The document sets the application review fee at $550 per trail designation request.
That figure is lower than the $1,000 fee reported in our Friday, Aug. 14, coverage. The BIE is the authoritative public record; the $550 amount is what the county plans to add to its official Fee Table, according to the document.
What the ordinance would do
The proposal would create Article IV under Chapter 106 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the Pasco County Code of Ordinances, covering golf cart operation on multiuse paved trails in unincorporated areas of the county.
Right now, golf carts in Pasco County can only be driven on roadways posted for their use or at approved crossing areas. The Pasco Sheriff's Office noted on X on July 27 that no ordinance currently allows golf cart driving on sidewalks or trails.
Under the new rules, an HOA, CDD or business would file an application with the county to designate a specific trail for golf cart use. The county would then coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation where applicable and evaluate the trail's condition, current use, pavement width and the character of the surrounding community before approving or denying the request.
What it costs
The BIE states the ordinance would not impose a direct cost on private businesses unless a business chooses to apply. The $550 fee covers the county's review of each application. The county acknowledged it cannot estimate how many entities will seek a designation.
The fee is proposed but not yet formally adopted. It could change before the commission votes.
What comes next
No public hearing date has been announced. Under state law, the BIE must be posted before the notice of proposed enactment is published, meaning the commission could schedule a hearing at a future meeting. Residents can monitor pascocountyfl.gov for hearing notices and comment opportunities.
