Court advances first reading of ordinance authorizing street‑legal special‑purpose vehicles on county roads

The Scott County Fiscal Court advanced a proposed ordinance on Aug. 8 that would permit the operation of street‑legal special‑purpose vehicles on county‑maintained highways, subject to the state statute (KRS 186.077/186.078) and several local exceptions. The ordinance passed first reading and was scheduled for a second reading on Aug. 28.

Public comment included two supporters who said properly inspected and insured vehicles would be a recreational option and generate licensing and tax revenue. One speaker said many vehicles already have the lights, signals and mirrors required by statute; another said such vehicles would be used for short local trips rather than as primary transportation.

Under the ordinance text read into the record by court staff, the county would allow these vehicles on all publicly maintained county highways except where the city of Georgetown, the city of Stamping Ground or the city of Sadieville expressly prohibit them by local ordinance; interstates, parkways or controlled‑access highways; and any highway where a federal agency prohibits them. The proposed ordinance also restricts travel on streets with centerline pavement markings to no more than 20 miles and defers to the inspection, equipment and operator requirements set out in KRS 186.077.

Court members asked legal staff whether the ordinance should restate all statutory equipment requirements; counsel recommended referencing KRS 186.077 to incorporate the statute by reference rather than repeating the text. The court and sheriff’s office representatives discussed enforcement and inspection, and staff said the sheriff’s office or its designee would handle inspections required by the statute.

Magistrates discussed the practical effects on travel through municipalities; court members noted the cities retain authority over streets inside their limits and the county ordinance would not automatically alter city rules. The court voted to advance the ordinance to a second reading; clerk Hamilton recorded the procedural vote so the matter will return for a final decision later this month.