The Bear Valley Police Department is preparing to begin enforcing District Code that prohibits golf carts and other unregistered motor vehicles on roads within Bear Valley Springs.

In the summer months, Bear Valley Springs typically sees a significant increase in the use of golf carts and similar unregistered vehicles on BVS roads. However, this practice is unsafe. These vehicles generally lack basic safety equipment such as seatbelts, lights, and signals. Roads in Bear Valley Springs are not designed for golf carts, and the speed limits are higher than what you would typically see in a golf-cart-friendly community.

Based on those reasons, golf carts and other low-speed vehicles (except farm equipment) are not allowed on roads in Bear Valley Springs. District Code 4-1-11-A states, “No person shall operate a sled, skateboard, unregistered motor vehicle, or unregistered motorcycle on district roads.”

District Code 4-1-7-A states that the Bear Valley Police Department has the authority to “Enforce the traffic and road regulations of the district and the state vehicle laws applicable to road traffic in the district”. District Code grants the Police Department the power to issue Administrative Citations with fines up to $1,000.

Starting July 1, 2026, Bear Valley Police Officers will begin issuing warnings to people driving golf carts or other unregistered motor vehicles in violation of District Code.

Starting August 1, 2026, after a one-month warning period, those found in violation of District Code will be given an Administrative Citation.

This enforcement comes as the Bear Valley Community Services District and Bear Valley Police Department continue working to make our roads safe, while preparing to resume enforcing the California Vehicle Code.

In late 2025, the Bear Valley Police Department was forced to stop enforcing the California Vehicle Code after questions were raised about Bear Valley’s legal road classification. Since then, the CSD has been working closely with Kern County to resolve the matter and anticipates resuming full Vehicle Code enforcement in the near future.

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we take steps to make our roads safer for all members of our community.

 

Dain Hurst

Chief of Police

Bear Valley Police Department